On Aug. 23, an ordinance (Ordinance No. 2024-025) was approved by the Fresno City Council, making it illegal for anyone to sleep, lie down or camp in public spaces. Spaces that are considered “sensitive” use or off-limits are parks, schools, public libraries, childcare facilities, and facilities provided by the city.

This includes camping at cooling and heating centers and city-permitted shelters for the unhoused. People cannot camp or have tents occupying doorways, alleys, or any public space.

With this new ban, it’s a misdemeanor to camp outside and can result in a $1,000 fine per violation and, or jail time. 

At the discretion of the arresting officer, those who break this law may be offered different services depending on their needs. According to the bill, the city may also offer the option to join a rehabilitation program or probation.

The city must inform the person arrested with a pre-removal notice, either through a written form or verbally 24 hours, before removing their belongings. People are given direct information about what is taken and where it’s being stored.

The city is supposed to store the items for 60 days before their belongings are tossed, and documentation follows.

This ordinance will go into effect on Sept. 23.

According to the assistant director of planning and development with the City of Fresno, Phil Skei, another ordinance was passed and will go into effect on Oct. 17. It allows private business owners, during hours of operation, to keep unwanted guests out of their stores.

“That’s really about trespassing on a private business,” Skei said. “The business owners have to notify the individual that did the trespassing, and if the individual does not leave, the police now have the right to arrest that individual for trespassing. This ordinance only applies during business hours,” said Skei. 

For more information on this ordinance, or the city council members who approved this ordinance, check out the bill here.