Santa Ana City Council set to make camping in public, including sleeping in cars, illegal
Camping, including in one’s vehicle, or storing personal belongings on public property is set to become illegal in Santa Ana after the City Council coalesced behind an anti-camping ordinance.
The ordinance that got unanimous approval Tuesday night would make it illegal for any person to camp — defined as pitching a tent, using camping supplies or using a vehicle “for human habitation” — or store personal property at any public parking lot, plaza or space, including the Civic Center where an encampment was cleared a few years ago.
Camping in public could be cited as an infraction or a misdemeanor at a Santa Ana police officer’s discretion. The City Council will need to take a second required vote to put the new law into effect, which would be 30 days after adoption.
