Santa Ana bars urination and defecation in public spaces. Violations are usually charged as infractions, although repeat offenders or incidents in front of children can be charged as misdemeanors.
The Santa Ana Municipal Code prohibits urinating or defecating on any public street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, parking lot, or park, and on private property exposed to public view. Officers may also rely on California Penal Code section 374.3 (illegal dumping) or section 314 (indecent exposure) when conduct is intentional or in front of minors. The city responds by directing offenders toward shelter and hygiene resources, but persistent offenders, those near schools, or those who refuse cleanup can face arrest and a court date. Property owners may report repeat hot spots for sanitation cleanup.
Urinating or defecating on streets, sidewalks, alleys, plazas, parking structures, or in any place visible to the public can each trigger infraction citations and cleanup fees.
See how Santa Ana's public urination rules stack up against other locations.
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