[Adopted 12-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
The streets and public property within the Town should be unobstructed,
readily accessible and available to residents and the public at large.
The use of these areas for camping purposes or storage of personal
property interferes with the rights of others to make use of these
areas for their proper function. Such activity can constitute a public
health and safety hazard that adversely impacts private and commercial
property and the general welfare of the Town. Camping on private property
without the consent of the owner, or at any time without proper sanitary
measures and for other than a minimal duration adversely affects property
rights as well as the public health, safety, and welfare. The purpose
of this article is to maintain streets, parks and other public and
private property within the Town in a clean, sanitary and accessible
condition and to adequately protect the health, safety and public
welfare of the community.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
At any time, to establish or maintain outdoors or in, on
or under any vehicle or structure not intended for human habitation,
a temporary or permanent place for cooking or sleeping, by setting
up any bedding, including, but not limited to, a sleeping bag, blanket,
mattress, tent, hammock or other sleeping equipment or by setting
up any cooking equipment with the intent to use that location for
habitation.
Structures, equipment or vehicles used for camping, including,
but not limited to, tents, huts, temporary shelters, trailers or vehicles,
if the vehicle is being used for habitation.
Implements and equipment used while camping, including, but
not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, blankets, mattresses,
hammocks, operational cooking facilities, and similar equipment.
Includes any location used for the purposes of camping.
The intentional use of a space as temporary or permanent
living quarters.
To put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for
safekeeping or to place or leave in a location.
A.
No person shall camp anywhere in the Town of Georgetown, whether
on public or private property, except as hereinafter expressly permitted
in this article.
B.
It shall be an affirmative defense under this article for any person,
without the purpose of habitation, to temporarily occupy and use a
vehicle for emergency reasons such as escape from or avoidance of
an abusive person(s), avoidance of driving a vehicle while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, even though the person may sleep during
the period of that use. For purposes of this section, "temporarily
occupy" means a duration of 12 hours or less.
C.
Camping, whether or not otherwise permitted under this article, shall
not be permitted to be conducted in such a manner as to create noise,
inadequate sanitation, or in any manner that poses a danger to the
health, safety and general welfare of public or private property;
nor where the activity would be prohibited under any other provision
of this Code.
Camping is permitted in the Town of Georgetown only under the
following circumstances:
A.
On public property specifically set aside and clearly marked for
public camping purposes.
B.
In conjunction with events authorized and expressly provided for
in a special event permit issued by the Town of Georgetown. To ensure
fair and consistent application of this section, the Town Manager
or designee may promulgate guidelines defining the criteria for permit
issuance contained in this section.
C.
In motor homes or travel trailers designed and equipped for habitation
while on designated areas on public or private property in conjunction
with community or sporting events in which one or more of the occupants
is a participant in or organizer of the event. Camping in connection
with a community or sporting event shall not exceed three consecutive
nights and only in areas approved by the Town Manager or designee.
The Town Manager may promulgate guidelines for designated parking
areas for such events.
D.
In the rear or side yard of a residence with the consent of the owner
or occupant of the residence. Camping in the rear or side yard is
only permitted if the campsite is separated from the street by a fence,
hedge or other permanent obstruction. Camping shall be limited to
no more than three days.
E.
Overnight camping in connection with Town- or government-sponsored
programs.
It shall be unlawful for any person to store or leave unattended
camp facilities or camp paraphernalia on public property, unless such
storage is expressly authorized and in conjunction with a permitted
camping activity under this article.
Any campsite established in the Town in violation of this article
is declared to be a public nuisance, and the Town Manager, or designee,
is authorized to abate the nuisance and remove camp facilities and
camp paraphernalia as authorized by law.
Nothing in this article is intended to preempt CCRs on private
property that are more restrictive than the provisions of this article.
