City News

City of Sebastopol Prevails in Challenge to RV Ordinance

November 23, 2024, City News

Friday afternoon, November 22, a decision was issued in the case of Yesue et al. v. City of Sebastopol, commonly known as the ACLU litigation. In 2022, the Sebastopol City Council adopted an ordinance regulating where and when RVs could park on public streets. Soon after the ordinance was adopted, the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the ordinance on behalf of several plaintiffs. The lawsuit raised 14 different causes of action. The US District Court, Northern District of California rejected all claims raised by the Plaintiffs and granted the City’s motion for summary judgment in its entirety. In short, the City of Sebastopol prevailed.
The purpose of the RV Ordinance was to address the serious public health and safety issues that arise from RV encampments, and to ensure adequate street parking for the general public. Homelessness is a complex regional and statewide issue, that no one city can solve alone. Sebastopol has consistently done its part, and more, to tackle the crisis in a compassionate manner.
“The parking ordinance was our small town’s effort to balance the many interests we serve, to find a solution and not turn away from what was a very challenging situation,” said Sebastopol Mayor Diana Rich. “It’s a good-faith heartfelt solution that gives consideration and respect to all in our community, including the unhoused. I’m pleased to see that the Court’s decision validates Sebastopol’s efforts to do what is right, fair, and equitable.”
The City is continuing to review the Court’s decision, and the City Council will discuss how to implement the Court’s decision and the RV Ordinance in the coming weeks.
A copy of the Court’s decision is available here.