Placentia, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)

Section 10.16.020 of the Placentia Municipal Code, headed Performing excretory function in public, makes it unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate, or otherwise discard or dispose of human wastes or excretion, in any public place or any place open to the public or open to public view. The only places carved out are restrooms, bathrooms and other enclosed areas provided for normal human excretory functions. The test is visibility and public access, so private property can fall inside the ban when the spot is open to public view.

Subsection (b) creates a medical exception. The section does not apply to anyone who, by reason of an illness, infection, disease or other physical infirmity, is unable to control his or her excretory functions. The same subsection closes a loophole: "physical infirmity" does not include loss of control brought on by the voluntary ingestion of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants, depressants or hallucinogens. Someone who is intoxicated therefore cannot rely on the exception.

The section sits inside Chapter 10.16, Disorderly Conduct, and § 10.16.030 attaches the classification: every person who commits any of the acts enumerated in § 10.16.010 or § 10.16.020 in this city is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. The Placentia Police Department enforces the rule in the City of Placentia. The history note shows the section was amended by Ordinance 91-O-110 in 1991, which also added the offense section.

The chapter does not set a separate fine amount, so the general penalty chapter fills that gap.