ANAHEIM, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2024) — This week marks the implementation of new city ordinances in Anaheim aimed at enhancing public spaces by addressing issues such as obstruction, bike-related nuisances, and expanding the city’s smoking ban.
Effective November 28th, these laws, which include two new ordinances and amendments to an existing one, come into force 30 days after their final approval by the City Council on October 29th. These changes are universally applicable across Anaheim, impacting all residents, including individuals experiencing homelessness.
The ordinances are designed to tackle critical issues such as the disruptive impact of drug use, the encroachment on public spaces, and other unsustainable problems prevalent in Anaheim’s parks, bus stops, streets, freeways, railways, and various public areas. While Anaheim already has regulations against camping, bike theft, and smoking in numerous locations under existing city and state laws, these new measures broaden the scope and strengthen enforcement.
Ordinance to Maintain Clear Public Spaces
One of the key ordinances introduces new regulations to Anaheim’s Municipal Code to ensure public spaces remain accessible and unobstructed. This includes prohibitions against leaving unattended property on sidewalks and public areas, lying down or obstructing sidewalks, occupying medians, parkways, and landscaped zones, and using public amenities like bus benches and park tables for prolonged sleeping or lying down.
These regulations apply broadly to a range of public spaces, including but not limited to:
- Walkways
- Curbs
- Bus benches
- Public benches
- Tables
- Playgrounds
- Crosswalks
- Intersections
- Roads
- Landscaped areas
- Medians
- Driveways
- Ramps
- Loading docks
- Fire hydrants and utility connections
- Business entrances
- Building entrances
- ATMs
- Charging stations
- Public restrooms
- School grounds
- Day care facilities
The ordinance specifically targets obstructions such as:
- Sleeping or lying down
- Sitting in a way that blocks passage
- Unattended personal items
- Chairs
- Buckets
- Crates
- Public storage of belongings
This “obstruction of public spaces” ordinance is officially chapter 11.11 within title 11 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. For detailed information, refer to the full chapter here.
Crackdown on Bike Thefts and Illegal Bike Sales – Addressing “Bike Barring” Concerns
Another significant addition to the municipal code directly addresses the rising issue of bike thefts and the operation of “chop shops,” where stolen bikes are dismantled and sold for parts. Anaheim reports approximately 250 bike thefts annually, with a substantial number of these bikes being broken down for illegal parts sales. This new law aims to curb these activities within public spaces, effectively “barring” such illicit bike operations.
The ordinance prohibits the assembly, disassembly, sale, or distribution of multiple bikes, as well as the possession of disassembled bike frames, bikes missing parts, and numerous bike components in public areas.
Specifically, the law targets:
- Possessing three or more bicycles in public spaces
- Possessing inoperable bicycle frames in public spaces
- Possessing two or more bicycles with missing parts in public spaces
- Possessing five or more bicycle parts in public spaces
These bike restrictions apply to various public locations, including:
- Streets
- Alleys
- Parking lots
- Parks
- Sidewalks
- Walkways
- Roads
These “bike barring” restrictions are codified as chapter 11.13 within title 11 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. Further details can be found here.
Expansion of Smoking Ban to Parks and Public Transit Areas
An amendment to the municipal code broadens Anaheim’s smoking ban to include city parks and public restrooms, as well as areas near bus benches, schools, and day care centers. This expansion also covers the prohibition of smoking cannabis or other drugs in parks, which was already against the rules.
The updated ordinance forbids smoking or lighting cigars, cigarettes, pipes, electronic cigarettes, or any smoking devices in designated public spaces. This includes smoking tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, other plant-based products, or any “combustible substance in any form.”
It is important to note that this ordinance does not regulate smoking within private residences, subject to any landlord or homeowners association rules.
The public areas now covered under the expanded smoking ban are:
- City parks
- Park restrooms
- Areas within 25 feet of schools
- Areas within 25 feet of day care centers
- Areas within 25 feet of bus stops and other public transit areas
These smoking restrictions are now part of the amended chapter 6.30 of the Anaheim Municipal Code, located within title 6. The complete chapter is available here.
Enforcement and Support for Compliance
Violations of these new and expanded ordinances are classified as misdemeanors or infractions. The Anaheim Police Department and Code Enforcement will exercise discretion in issuing citations or making arrests, prioritizing voluntary compliance.
Officers and the City Attorney’s office are authorized to offer violators pathways to support services such as shelter, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance as alternatives to citations or jail time.
These laws are applicable to everyone within Anaheim, including vendors, businesses, residents, and visitors. A primary objective is to mitigate the severe impacts on parks and public spaces and to encourage individuals resistant to accepting help to engage with services that can break the cycle of homelessness.
Even in cases that proceed to court, assistance will continue to be offered through the Access program, a collaborative initiative between Anaheim and the judicial system. The Access program provides social workers and support staff in court to offer services and case management as an alternative to traditional sentencing. Accountability and potential jail time remain options if individuals repeatedly decline offers of assistance.
Since its inception in 2023, Access has assessed over 300 individuals, with nearly half (145) participating in court-supervised plans. Notably, 23 individuals have successfully graduated from the program and stabilized their lives, leading to the dismissal of their cases. Conversely, those who refuse the program’s help may face extended jail sentences or the enforcement or issuance of arrest warrants.
These new city laws build upon Anaheim’s ongoing efforts to enhance outreach, enforcement, and restoration of public spaces. Since September, the city has been actively clearing parks, sidewalks, and freeway areas, and deploying high-visibility, monitored cameras throughout the city. These cameras serve as a visual deterrent and enable announcements to warn individuals about after-hours park presence or other unauthorized activities. Along railway lines, recognized as particularly dangerous, encampments are being cleared weekly in collaboration with Union Pacific Railroad to prevent ongoing encampments.
These initiatives and new laws are in response to the June U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which provides cities with greater latitude to address encampments and homelessness-related issues. They also align with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s July executive order directing state agencies and local governments to address homeless encampments.
Addressing the impacts of homelessness remains a top priority for Anaheim residents and businesses, particularly concerning parks and public spaces. The city is committed to ensuring that parks, sidewalks, bus benches, and business areas are available for their intended public uses, while simultaneously offering support to those in need. The approach prioritizes shelter and services, with enforcement reserved as a last resort for individuals who decline assistance.
Anaheim is committed to leading Orange County in providing comprehensive support to individuals experiencing homelessness, offering daily social worker outreach, substance abuse recovery programs, mental health services, emergency shelters, and long-term supportive housing. More information about Anaheim’s efforts to address homelessness can be found at Anaheim.net/homelessness.
