§ 8.12.030. Camping on public property in the Truckee River Corridor.

(a)

Preamble. The Reno City Council finds and declares as follows:

(1)

The Truckee River runs from the outlet of Lake Tahoe, through Truckee and directly through downtown Reno on its way to Pyramid Lake, and is an important natural resource shared by our city and surrounding communities.

(2)

The Truckee River watershed includes all of the land draining into the river, either directly, through our urban storm water system, or into creeks which feed the Truckee River.

(3)

Once a thriving, wild waterway with hundreds of bird species and 40-pound Lahontan cutthroat trout, the Truckee has been highly degraded over the past century.

(4)

Proper management of the Truckee River, which provides 85 percent of the water delivered in the Truckee Meadows, is vital to sustaining a healthy community.

(5)

Unregulated camping in and around the Truckee River threatens to pollute the area's primary source of drinking water, and detracts from the scenic beauty of the river.

(6)

Limited regulation of camping within the Truckee River Corridor is reasonably necessary to protect and enhance water quality or water resources of the Truckee River and appropriately balances the public interest and individual rights.

(b)

Unless a permit is obtained in accordance with section 8.23.075 or other applicable provision of the Reno Municipal Code, it shall be unlawful to camp on public property within 350 feet of the shore of the Truckee River within city limits (the "Truckee River Corridor"). For the purpose of this section, "to camp" or "camping" means to use real property of the city for overnight living accommodation purposes such as:

(1)

Sleeping activities or making preparations to sleep including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping;

(2)

Storing personal belongings;

(3)

Making any fire, other than in a fire or barbecue pit provided or area designated for such use by the city or portable propane grill used according to manufacturer's instructions;

(4)

Using any tent, shelter, other structure or vehicle for sleeping; or

(5)

Cooking, other than in a fire or barbecue pit provided or area designated for such use by the city or portable propane grill used according to manufacturer's instructions.

For purposes of this section, "overnight" is defined as the period from one-half hour after sunset to sunrise.

The above listed activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears in light of all the circumstances that the participant, in conducting these activities is in fact using the area for overnight living accommodation purposes, regardless of the intent of the participant or the nature of any other activities in which they may also be engaging.

(c)

The prohibition in subsection (b) shall not apply to any person:

(1)

Sitting or lying down on public property due to a medical emergency;

(2)

Who, as the result of a disability, utilizes a wheelchair, walker or similar device to move about the public property;

(3)

Operating or patronizing a commercial establishment conducted on the public property pursuant to an applicable permit;

(4)

Participating in or attending a parade, festival, performance, rally, demonstration, meeting, or similar event conducted on public property pursuant to an applicable permit.

(d)

No person shall be charged with a violation of this section unless the person engages in conduct prohibited by this section after having been notified by a law enforcement officer that the conduct violates this section.

(e)

The provisions of this section are declared to be separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or portion of this section, or the invalidity of the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this section, or the validity of its application to other persons or circumstances.

(f)

Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 6184, § 1, 5-11-11)