Trespassing: removal of trespassers on residential property.

Senator Umberg's residential trespassing legislation establishes new procedures for law enforcement to remove unauthorized occupants from California properties. The measure creates a formal process requiring property owners to serve unauthorized occupants with a "Demand to Vacate" notice before requesting removal assistance from local law enforcement.

The bill outlines specific requirements for removal requests, including property documentation, proof of ownership, and verification of proper notice delivery. Law enforcement agencies must verify these requests before removing unauthorized occupants and may charge fees to cover associated costs. The legislation provides liability protection for law enforcement personnel conducting removals in good faith while creating felony penalties for individuals who fraudulently initiate or interfere with the removal process.

This framework applies exclusively to unauthorized occupants and explicitly excludes tenants, former tenants in active disputes, or individuals with legitimate claims to tenancy or ownership. Property owners must wait 72 hours after serving the demand notice before requesting law enforcement intervention. Occupants removed through fraudulent means may pursue civil action for possession restoration, damages equal to three months' rent, and related expenses.

The measure preserves law enforcement's existing authority to address other violations like burglary or vandalism during removal operations. Local agencies may establish their own forms and procedures for processing removal requests, provided they align with the bill's requirements for documentation and verification.