A. 
Encampments such as tents and other habitable structures persist and have become a problem on City property. Such encampments are unsafe and unhealthy for the people living in them, and they make public spaces and the adjoining neighborhoods intimidating, less safe, and less healthy for families, residents, and visitors to City facilities. The City already prohibits camping on public and private property in the City without permission, and the unregulated placement of tents and other habitable structures on City properties, including, but not limited to, parking lots, areas of ingress and egress, patios, and similar spaces, is not a traditional or customary use of these important public spaces.
B. 
Maintaining accessible and safe access to City facilities for everyone is an important public safety objective. Tents and other habitable structures erected for temporary shelter often exhibit the following public safety hazards, all of which present public health risks and can become vectors for disease, illness, and rodents:
1. 
Solid waste from discarded food and other garbage;
2. 
The presence of syringes;
3. 
Untreated human waste;
4. 
Unsanitary food storage; and
5. 
Lack of potable running water for personal hygiene.
C. 
In addition to the foregoing concerns, tents and other habitable, temporary shelters provide a shield for criminal activity and expose members of the public and law enforcement to increased risk of assault and other threats to personal safety. This risk extends not only to members of the public seeking to access City facilities for lawful purposes, but also to nearby residents, business owners, and pedestrians.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply.
"City property"
means all real property owned or leased by the City or any agency or department thereof, irrespective of whether such real property is located within an incorporated area.
"Encampment"
means a tent or any similar temporary structure consisting of any material with a top or roof or any other upper covering or that is otherwise enclosed by sides that is of sufficient size for a person to fit underneath or inside while sitting or lying down and includes the use of a tarp or other material tied to a structure or bush to create an enclosed area.
"Enforcing employee"
means the employee of the City or Yolo County, authorized to enforce this chapter.
"Housing"
shall mean placement in a Shelter or another housing option provided by the City or Yolo County.
"Personal property"
shall mean any tangible property, and includes, but is not limited to, goods, materials, merchandise, tents, tarpaulins, bedding, blankets, sleeping bags, personal items such as household items, luggage, backpacks, clothing, food, documents, and medication.
"Shelter"
shall mean temporary shelter or another shelter option.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
It is unlawful to place an encampment upon City property. This prohibition shall not apply to the placement of an encampment on City property pursuant to and in compliance with a permit or other written authorization signed by the City Manager or other City employee with authority to provide such permits or authorizations.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
Prior to directing a person to remove an encampment or prior to removing the encampment, the enforcing employee shall offer information to the occupant(s) regarding any available housing or shelter and other health and human services that said employee reasonably believes are relevant to the occupant(s) and their individual circumstances.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
A. 
The prohibition of Section 9.50.030 may be enforced by: (1) the Woodland Police Department; (2) the City's Code Enforcement Division; (3) Parks and Public Works personnel; (4) or other local law enforcement. The City Manager, or a department designated by the City Manager, may issue regulations or guidelines necessary or appropriate to aid in the enforcement and implementation of this chapter and may create any additional procedures consistent with this chapter necessary or appropriate to protect the property rights of individuals whose property is taken into custody pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
All references to enforcement are to the process of implementing the prohibition of Section 9.50.030, as set forth in this chapter, and violations of this chapter do not constitute infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies. No citation may be issued for a violation of this chapter. As set forth in Section 9.50.080, below, nothing in this chapter is intended or shall be interpreted to limit or in any way constrain enforcement action (including, but not limited to, the issuance of citations) for other violations of federal, state, or local law occurring in connection with an encampment.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
The enforcing employee shall provide occupants of an encampment notice of intent to remove the encampment at least 24 hours in advance of any action to remove the encampment. Notice shall be in writing and shall be served personally on the occupant(s) of the encampment present when the enforcing employee attempts to serve notice. In addition, the enforcing employee shall post the notice on or near the encampment, so as reasonably to communicate the notice to persons living at the encampment but not present during the attempt to serve notice. The notice shall contain the following information:
A. 
The location of the encampment;
B. 
The date and time notice was served or posted;
C. 
A statement that the encampment violates this chapter;
D. 
An advisement that the City or County will remove the encampment 24 hours after the date and time of the notice;
E. 
Information about any housing or shelter and homeless services available for occupants of the encampment and the phone number and address to contact in order to obtain the housing or shelter or other health and human services;
F. 
An advisement that any personal property remaining at the encampment site when the enforcing employee returns to remove the encampment will be impounded for no fewer than 90 days and will be discarded thereafter if not claimed; and
G. 
The address, phone number, and operating hours of the location where the personal property will be stored and may be retrieved and that the City or County will charge no fee for storage or retrieval.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
A person occupying an encampment who is present at the time the enforcing employee is removing the encampment may retain his or her personal property except that items constituting an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public or items that constitute evidence of a crime or contraband may be seized, as permitted by law. Any personal property seized shall be stored for no less than 90 days, with the following exceptions:
A. 
Items that present a health or safety risk if stored, such as items soiled by bodily fluids, items that are moldy, items infested by insects or vermin, and food, need not be stored and may be discarded; and
B. 
Items that constitute evidence of a crime or contraband may be seized and discarded, as permitted by law.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the City's or County's authority to enforce any other Federal, State, or local law.
(Ord. 1654 § 1, 2019)