San Diego, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SDMC § 56.55
- Covered locations
- streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches
- Exception
- inside a restroom/sanitary facility
- Original enactment
- 1952, O-5046 N.S.
Summary
San Diego prohibits urinating or defecating on streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, or any place open to public view under SDMC § 56.55, with an exception for use of an actual restroom.
No person shall urinate or defecate in or upon any street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach, public building or publicly maintained facility, or in any place open to the public or exposed to public view. This section shall not apply to urination or defecation which is done in any restroom or other facility designed for the sanitary disposal of human waste. (Incorp. 1-22-1952 by O-5046 N.S.) (Amended 6-21-2004 by O-19290.N.S.)
Full Breakdown
SDMC § 56.55 makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate in or upon any street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach, public building or publicly maintained facility, or any other place open to the public or exposed to public view. The prohibition doesn't apply when the act happens inside a restroom or other facility built for sanitary disposal of human waste. The section was incorporated in 1952 (O-5046 N.S.) and last amended in 2004 (O-19290 N.S.).
Violations & Fines
Public urination or defecation outside a restroom is a violation of SDMC § 56.55; enforcement falls under the same disorderly-conduct article as San Diego's other public-morals infractions in Chapter 5, Article 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public urination illegal in San Diego?
Does the ban apply on private property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Public Urination in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle public urination.