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Fresno County, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Rule
No urinating/defecating on public property
Companion rule
No bathing in public fountains/water features
Effective
Ord. No. 24-013, 8-20-2024
Penalty
Misdemeanor, up to 6 months and/or $500

Summary

Fresno County makes it a misdemeanor to urinate or defecate on public property that is not a designated restroom, alongside a companion ban on bathing in public fountains or water features, both added to the county's 2024 public-rights-of-way ordinance.

City-specific rules exist: Clovis, and Fresno have their own public urination rules that differ from Fresno County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful and a violation of this code to bathe in public fountains or other public water features or conveyances. It is unlawful and a violation of this code to urinate or defecate upon public property not designated as a restroom facility.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).

Full Breakdown

70's catch-all 'other public offenses' provision, state two separate rules back to back: it is unlawful to bathe in public fountains or other public water features or conveyances, and it is unlawful to urinate or defecate upon public property not designated as a restroom facility. 020(F) to include streets, sidewalks, parks, canal banks, and other public rights-of-way, so the ban reaches essentially any county-controlled public space that lacks a restroom facility. Unlike the sidewalk-obstruction rule in the same section, subsections (D) and (E) are not tied to the section's distance buffers; they apply countywide on public property regardless of proximity to a school or hydrant.

010 of keeping publicly accessible areas safe, healthy, and usable, and of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of people accessing or traversing public property.

Violations & Fines

A violation of Section 10.70.050(E) is a misdemeanor under Section 10.70.070, punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $500 per violation, with the court encouraged to grant diversion or probation conditioned on a rehabilitation or treatment program as an alternative under the same section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is public urination illegal in unincorporated Fresno County?
Yes. Section 10.70.050(E) makes it unlawful and a code violation to urinate or defecate upon public property that is not designated as a restroom facility, part of the county's 2024 public rights-of-way ordinance.
Does the same ordinance cover bathing in public fountains?
Yes. Section 10.70.050(D), immediately before the urination/defecation clause, separately makes it unlawful to bathe in public fountains or other public water features or conveyances.
What is the penalty for violating this section?
Section 10.70.070 makes any violation of Chapter 10.70, including Section 10.70.050(E), a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $500 per violation, with diversion or treatment-based probation encouraged as an alternative.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fresno County

All Fresno County rules

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