HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report - Overnight Camping Ordinance 1
REPORT TO PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
FROM: GRANT TAYLOR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: January 21, 2015
SUBJECT: Discussion to amend provisions of the Lake Elsinore Municipal
Code (LEMC) regulating overnight camping
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Public Safety Advisory Commission consider existing
Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) provisions, reasonable property rights,
potential negative impacts, reasonable number of days and durations for overnight
camping permits, and provide recommendations.
BACKGROUND
Properties abutting the lake conduct overnight camping activities that are
sometimes not consistent with provisions set forth in the LEMC and result in
complaints pertaining to blight, aesthetics, storage, trash, noise, light, glare, and
water quality.
Existing LEMC provisions are not well defined or written and difficult to enforce. In
an effort to allow property o wner’s enjoyment of their property, while still protecting
properties in the vicinity from negative impacts, staff has been directed to update
overnight camping provisions with an amended ordinance.
DISCUSSION
A number of LEMC Sections regulate overnight camping activities (attached) to
include:
17.20.040(J) – Requires campsites to obtain a special camping permit.
17.20.60 – Campers, RV’s, and trailers must be removed after each permit.
Agenda Item No. 5
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17.20.070 – Trash containers must be provided and trash/debris removed.
17.176.40 – Loud noises are not permitted per City noise regulations.
17.200.70 – Overnight camping regulations.
8.20.030 – Campfire and Fire Department regulations.
The primary regulations for overnight camping are set forth in LEMC Chapter
17.200, Temporary Uses, as overnight camping is a temporary use. LEMC
Section 17.200.070, Overnight Camping, states in part:
A) Overnight camping may be permitted for security or seasonal temporary use.
B) Overnight camping shall be limited to fully self-contained vehicles.
C) Overnight camping shall not be allowed at any location more than four times
per year.
D) Overnight camping shall obtain County Health Department approval.
E) Overnight camping shall require a permit.
This item is an effort to facilitate discussion and recommendations from the public
and PSAC to forward to the Lake Subcommittee, Planning Commission, and
ultimately the City Council for final adoption of an ordinance.
Areas of concern to address in the ordinance include but are not limited to:
1) Reasonable enjoyment of private property.
2) Constitutional rights of property owners.
3) Allowing only property owners and family to camp overnight.
4) Allowing non-property owners and family to camp overnight.
5) Allowing property owners to lease their property for camping (effectively a
business).
6) Number of times overnight camping is permitted per year.
7) Duration of overnight camping per each permit.
8) Authorized accessory uses and activities.
9) Prohibited accessory uses and activities.
10) Water quality and regulatory agency mandates.
FISCAL IMPACT
The overnight camping permit fee should recover staff costs for administration and
inspections. Enforcement actions and response to complaints would require
additional staff time.
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ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
A draft ordinance is expected to be Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to Class 21 – CEQA
Guidelines Section 15321, Enforcement Actions by Regulatory Agencies.
Attachments: Special Camping Application and Permit
LEMC Sections:
17.20 Lakeshore Overlay District
17.176 Noise Control
17.200 Temporary Uses
8.20 Burning and Fire Hazards