RPVCCA_CC_SR_2011_12_20_03_Ordinance_Prohibiting_Camping_and_Animal_Dumping
MEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: CAROLYNN PETRU, AICP, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RECREATION & PARKS
DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2011
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE PROHIBITING OVERNIGHT CAMPING IN
THE PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE AND THE
ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS ON CITY PROPERTY
REVIEWED: CAROLYN LEHR, CITY MANAGER
Project Manager: Kit Fox, AICP, Senior Administrative Analyst
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce Ordinance No. ___, an ordinance of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes prohibiting
overnight camping in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and the abandonment of animals
on City property, and amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
Staff has identified two (2) “clean-up” amendments to Chapter 12.16 (Streets, Parks and
Recreational Facilities) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC), dealing with
the prohibition of overnight camping in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and the
abandonment of animals on City property. Accordingly, Staff has prepared a draft
ordinance to enact these proposed provisions.
DISCUSSION
Overnight Camping in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes owns roughly 1,400 acres of open space known as the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (the “Preserve”), which fulfills a variety of purposes that are
important to the surrounding community. These include protection of sensitive natural
habitat; providing opportunities for passive recreational use; preservation of natural
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December 20, 2011
Page 2
watershed areas and drainage courses; and maintenance of open space buffers between
and within developed areas.
In recent years, Staff has observed increasing incidents of overnight camping within the
Preserve, primarily by transients. Staff believes that such activity is inconsistent with the
purposes of the Preserve for a number of reasons, including lack of adequate and
appropriate sanitary facilities and shelters; adverse impacts upon sensitive plant and animal
communities; increased risk of wildfire due to human activity; and limited emergency
access to the Preserve. Therefore, Staff recommends prohibiting overnight camping within
the Preserve by adding the proposed Section 12.16.140 to the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code.
Abandonment of Animals
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has also experienced, and continues to experience,
problems in several of its parks with the control of colonies of feral domestic animals and
the abandonment of unwanted animals. Staff believes that it is in the best interest of the
safety, health and general welfare—of both animals and the public—that the abandonment
of unwanted animals on City property is prohibited.1 Therefore, Staff recommends
prohibiting the abandonment of animals on City property by adding the proposed Section
12.16.150 to the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has developed informal procedures for
permitting overnight group camping on City property, and group camping fees are included
in the City’s current schedule of service fees. The Recreation and Parks Department has
generally limited such activities to weekend evenings in the developed civic center area at
Upper Point Vicente. Groups that have camped on City property in the recent past have
included Girl Scout troops, church groups and California Coastwalk overnight hiking tours,
none of whom have been permitted to camp in the Preserve. As such, the adoption of the
proposed ordinance will have no effect upon the ability of such groups to continue camping
periodically on City property. In the near future, the Recreation and Parks Department
intends to review, formalize and standardize its procedures for permitting overnight
camping on City property (excluding the Preserve). Similarly, it should be noted that the
adoption of the proposed ordinance will not conflict with existing Recreation and Parks
programming at City facilities, such as the popular “Night at the Museum” overnight events
at the Point Vicente Interpretative Center.
1 It should be noted that the proposed ordinance would specifically exclude “the release or
rehabilitation and release of native California wildlife” from the definition of the abandonment of animals.
However, this exclusion would apply only to persons or agencies specifically authorized by State law and the
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to rehabilitate and release native California wildlife back into
the wild.
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MEMORANDUM: Ordinance Prohibiting Camping and Animal Abandonment
December 20, 2011
Page 3
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Staff recommends that the City Council introduce Ordinance No. ___, an
ordinance of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes prohibiting overnight camping in the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve and the abandonment of animals on City property, and amending
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code.
ALTERNATIVES
In addition to Staff’s recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the
City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to revise the proposed ordinance and agendize it for reintroduction at a
future City Council meeting.
2. Do not introduce the proposed ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed
ordinance. However, in the event that it becomes desirable or necessary in the future to
post signs to advise visitors of these prohibitions, there would be costs to the City
associated with the fabrication and installation of such signs. These costs cannot be
reliably estimated at this time since it is not known how many signs would be required.
Attachments:
• Ordinance No. ___
• RPVMC Chapter 12.16 (Streets, Parks and Recreational Facilities)
M:\Municipal Facilities\Overnight Camping & Animal Dumping\20111220_MiscRevRPVMC1216_StaffRpt.doc
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ORDINANCE NO. ___
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PROHIBITING OVERNIGHT CAMPING WITHIN THE PALOS VERDES
NATURE PRESERVE AND THE ABANDONMENT OF ANIMALS ON
CITY PROPERTY, AND AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes owns roughly 1,400 acres of open
space known as the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (the “Preserve”), which fulfills a
variety of purposes that are important to the surrounding community, including (but not
limited to) protection of sensitive natural habitat; providing opportunities for passive
recreational use; preservation of natural watershed areas and drainage courses; and
maintenance of open space buffers between and within developed areas; and,
WHEREAS, overnight camping within the Preserve is inconsistent with the
foregoing purposes of the Preserve for a number of reasons, including (but not limited
to) lack of adequate and appropriate sanitary facilities and shelters; adverse impacts
upon sensitive plant and animal communities; increased risk of wildfire due to human
activity; and limited emergency access to the Preserve; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has experienced, and continues to
experience, problems in several of its parks with the control of colonies of feral domestic
animals and the abandonment of unwanted animals; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the safety, health and general welfare of
both animals and the public, that the abandonment of unwanted animals on City
property is prohibited.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Chapter 16 of Title 12 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
is hereby amended by adding new Section 12.16.140 thereto to read as follows:
12.16.140 Overnight Camping within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Prohibited.
No person shall camp within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. For the purposes of
this section, “camp” shall mean to remain on site overnight, whether entirely out of
doors or utilizing an enclosed or semi-enclosed temporary accommodation, including
but not limited to, a tent, tarp, canopy, trailer, recreational vehicle, passenger car or
truck.
Section 2: Chapter 16 of Title 12 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
is hereby amended by adding new Section 12.16.150 thereto to read as follows:
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Ordinance No. ___
Page 2 of 2
12.16.150 Abandonment of Animals Prohibited.
No person shall willfully abandon any animal on any City-owned property. For the
purposes of this section, “willfully abandon” shall not include the release or rehabilitation
and release of native California wildlife by persons or agencies so authorized pursuant
to State law or regulations of the California Department of Fish and Game.
Section 3: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance, and
shall cause the same to be posted in the manner prescribed by law.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS __TH DAY OF ________ 2012.
_________________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, CARLA MORREALE, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby
certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the
foregoing Ordinance No. ___ passed first reading on __________, 2011, was duly and
regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof held on
__________, 2012, and that the same was passed and adopted by the following roll call
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
__________________________________
CITY CLERK
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Chapter 12.16 - STREETS, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES*
Sections:
* Prior ordinance history: Ord. 134.
12.16.010 - Protection of flora, fauna and public buildings and structures.
12.16.020 - Motorized vehicles.
12.16.030 - Hours of operation.
12.16.040 - Motorized or radio-controlled models.
12.16.045 - Aircraft.
12.16.050 - Dogs and pets.
12.16.060 - Littering.
12.16.070 - Fires.
12.16.080 - Use of city parks, nature preserves and recreational facilities.
12.16.090 - Closed areas.
12.16.100 - Nudity.
12.16.110 - Hunting prohibited.
12.16.120 - Skateboards, roller skates, inline skates, scooters and similar wheeled devices prohibited on public
property.
12.16.130 - Reckless use of trails within the Palos Verdes nature preserve prohibited.
12.16.010 - Protection of flora, fauna and public buildings and structures.
No person other than authorized park employees or city agents or other authorized persons in the
performance of their duties shall cut, break, dig up, remove, or in any manner injure any plant, animal,
public building, structure or contents therein on any park or municipal property.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.020 - Motorized vehicles.
No person shall park or operate any motorized vehicle in any park and/or recreational facility except in
designated areas, other than authorized park employees or city agents in performance of their duties.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.030 - Hours of operation.
No person shall be or remain in any park or municipal building at any time between one hour after
sundown and one hour before sunrise, unless attending or participating in city authorized activities.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
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12.16.040 - Motorized or radio-controlled models.
No person shall operate any motorized or radio-controlled model in a park except in areas designated
for such use, or upon written authorization from the city manager or the city manager's designee. In
deciding whether to grant such authorization, the city manager or the city manager's designee shall
consider time of day, relative crowding of the area requested, factors of public safety, availability of
areas approved for such activities, and any other factor relevant to the welfare of those utilizing park or
recreational facilities.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.045 - Aircraft.
No person shall land, release, take off in, or fly in any balloon designed to carry passengers, helicopter,
parasail, hang glider, or other aircraft from any city-owned land except in areas specifically set aside
therefore or with the express written permission from the city.
(Ord. 267 § 1, 1991)
12.16.050 - Dogs and pets.
No person may bring a dog or any other pet unless authorized by the city manager or the city
manager's designee, onto any park or portion of a park unless the animal is restrained by a substantial
chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody and control of such
person. No person may bring a dog or any other pet unless authorized by the city manager or the city
manager's designee onto a golf course or designated play area under any circumstances.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.060 - Littering.
No person shall throw, place or dispose of any refuse, garbage, waste paper, bottles or cans, in any
place in a park other than into a garbage can or other receptacle provided for that purpose.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.070 - Fires.
No persons shall light or maintain any fire in any park area other than in stoves or fire circles provided
in special areas designated for those purposes, except upon written authorization from the city
manager or the city manager's designee. In deciding whether to grant such authorization, the city
manager or the city manager's designee shall consider the time of day, relative crowding of the area
requested, factors of public safety, availability of areas approved for such activities, and any other
factor relevant to the welfare of those utilizing parks or recreational facilities.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.080 - Use of city parks, nature preserves and recreational facilities.
Any person who enters any park, nature preserve or recreational facility that is owned by the city shall
comply with all applicable city regulations and posted signs, including, without limitation, regulations
and signs regarding the use of public trails.
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A. No person shall ride or drive or otherwise introduce any horse or other large domestic animal
within a city park, city-owned nature preserve or city-owned recreational facility except on trails or
areas that are designated by the city for equestrian use and in areas where automobiles and other
motorized vehicles expressly are allowed, unless expressly authorized in writing to do so by the
city manager or the city manager's designee.
B. No person shall ride or drive or otherwise introduce any bicycle or other similar unmotorized
wheeled device within a city park, city-owned nature preserve or city-owned recreational facility
except on trails or areas that are designated by the city for bicycle use and in areas where
automobiles and other motorized vehicles expressly are allowed, unless expressly authorized in
writing to do so by the city manager or the city manager's designee.
C. No person shall walk, jog, run or otherwise utilize any city park, city-owned nature preserve
or city-owned recreational facility except on trails or areas that are designated by the city for such
use and in areas where automobiles and other motorized vehicles expressly are allowed, unless
expressly authorized in writing to do so by the city manager or the city manager's designee.
D. In deciding whether to grant such authorization for use pursuant to subsections A, B or C of
this section, the city manager or the city manager's designee shall consider time of day, relative
crowding of the area requested, factors of public safety, availability of areas approved for such
activities, impact of such activities upon sensitive habitat, and any other factor relevant to the
welfare of those utilizing city parks or city-owned nature preserves or recreational facilities.
(Ord. 421 § 1, 2005: Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.090 - Closed areas.
When necessary for the protection of the public interest, health, welfare, or safety, the city manager or
the city manager's designee shall have the authority to close from public access any city park or portion
thereof on a temporary or permanent basis. No person shall enter or remain in or upon areas posted as
closed.
(Ord. 181 § 1 (part), 1984)
12.16.100 - Nudity.
A. No person shall appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk or be in any public park, street, right-of-way,
playground, beach or the waters adjacent thereto, or any other public place or public accommodation,
or in any place open to the public (with or without the admission of an admission fee), in such a manner
that the genitals, vulva, pubis, pubic symphysis, pubic hair, buttocks, natal cleft, perineum, anus, anal
region, or pubic region of any person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the
areola thereof of any female person, is exposed to public view or is not covered by an opaque covering.
B. This section shall not apply to:
1. Any child under ten years of age;
2. Any live theatrical performance in a theater, auditorium or other similar building devoted to
theatrical performances located on public land; or
3. Any acts prohibited, or the prohibition of which is preempted, by any provision of state law.
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Title 12 - STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Chapter 12.16 - STREETS, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES*
Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Code of Ordinances
Page 4 of 4
(Ord. 301 § 1, 1994)
12.16.110 - Hunting prohibited.
No person shall, by any means, hunt any animal, fowl, fish, amphibian, or reptile on city property unless
expressly authorized by the city. For the purposes of this section, "hunt" shall mean stalk, pursue,
catch, capture, kill, or attempt to stalk, pursue, catch, capture or kill.
(Ord. 364 § 1, 2001)
12.16.120 - Skateboards, roller skates, inline skates, scooters and similar wheeled devices
prohibited on public property.
A. No person shall, and it shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to, operate, ride, propel,
or coast any skateboard or scooter, or utilize roller skates, inline skates or any similar unmotorized
wheeled device having wheels less than six inches in diameter, upon any public street, sidewalk, alley,
or roadway within the city, where such public street, sidewalk, alley, or way is designated by resolution
of the city council as closed to such activities and where notice of such prohibition has been posted and
is clearly visible in the immediate vicinity where such activity is prohibited.
B. No person shall, and it shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to, operate, ride, propel,
or coast any skateboard or scooter, or utilize roller skates, inline skates or any similar motorized or
unmotorized wheeled device having wheels less than six inches in diameter, upon any public park or
other public property within any zone in the city, where such public property is designated by resolution
of the city council as closed to such activities and where notice of such prohibition has been posted and
is clearly visible at a minimum of two entrances to the prohibited area or in the immediate vicinity of the
area where such activity is prohibited.
C. The notices required by subsections A and B of this section shall be in substantially the following
form:
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 12.16.120 OF THE RANCHO PALOS
VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE, NO SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER SKATES, INLINE SKATES, OR
SCOOTERS ARE PERMITTED.
D. This section shall not apply to persons participating in any city-sponsored program, event or class
in which use of the self-powered wheeled devices described herein are specifically authorized,
permitted or required.
(Ord. 371 § 2, 2001)
12.16.130 - Reckless use of trails within the Palos Verdes nature preserve prohibited.
It shall constitute a public nuisance for any person, including pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists, to
use any trail within the Palos Verdes nature preserve ("the preserve") in a reckless manner that
demonstrates a wanton disregard for the safety of other human beings or animals or causes injury or
harm to others.
(Ord. 476 § 1, 2008)
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