This article is adopted pursuant to the provisions of § 10(1)(ii)(a)(12) of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, which grants to local governments the authority to enact local laws regarding the government, protection, order, conduct, safety, health and well-being of persons or property therein which are not inconsistent with the constitution or general state statutes.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-2-2024 by L.L. No. 7-2024]
The purpose of this article is to prohibit all persons from camping on City of Watertown property to promote the general health, safety and the welfare of the residents and inhabitants of the City of Watertown and abate the potential creation of nuisances and unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
Means to set up or to remain in or at a campsite.
Means any place where bedding, sleeping bag, or other material used for bedding purposes, or any stove or fire is placed, established, or maintained for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live, whether or not such place incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any other structure. For purposes of this article, the term "campsite" shall not include vehicles.
Include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, awnings, lean-tos, chairs, tarps, portable stoves, campfires, and/or other collections of personal property that are, or reasonably appear to be, arranged and/or used as accommodations to camp whether or not 24 hours have passed.
Means all property, parks, rights of way, parking lots, easements or other land owned, leased, controlled, or managed by the City of Watertown.
Means any item that can reasonably be identified as belonging to an individual and that has apparent value or utility.
No person may occupy a campsite or build or maintain a fire in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right of way, park, bench, bridge, cemetery or any other City Property unless specifically authorized by (i) a formal declaration of the City Manager in emergency circumstances, or (ii) City Council resolution.
Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250, or imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of continued violation is a separate and distinct offense.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this article or the application thereof to any person, individual, firm or corporation, or circumstance, shall be adjudicated by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this article or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
[Adopted 12-2-2024 by L.L. No. 8-2024]
This article is adopted pursuant to the provisions of § 10(1)(ii)(a)(12) of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, which grants to local governments the authority to enact local laws regarding the government, protection, order, conduct, safety, health and well-being of persons or property therein which are not inconsistent with the constitution or general state statutes.
The purpose of this article is to prohibit all persons from obstructing sidewalks, streets and other public spaces in the City of Watertown after being asked to move, to promote the general health, safety and the welfare of the residents, inhabitants and visitors of the City of Watertown and abate the potential creation of nuisances and unsafe conditions.
Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250, or imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of continued violation is a separate and distinct offense.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this article or the application thereof to any person, individual, firm or corporation, or circumstance, shall be adjudicated by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this article or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.