California has enacted Assembly Bill 518 (AB 518), a new law designed to expand affordable camping access while creating economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the state.
Signed into law on October 1, the measure has already taken effect and allows counties to authorize small-scale, low-impact campgrounds on private land under county health and safety rules.
The legislation addresses one of the state’s growing outdoor recreation challenges: limited access to affordable places to camp. By modernizing decades-old regulations, AB 518 is expected to reduce pressure on overcrowded public campgrounds while providing landowners with new ways to generate income.
Hipcamp, a booking platform for outdoor stays, applauded the bill’s passage, calling it a milestone for expanding outdoor recreation.
“This is a major step forward for California,” Alyssa Ravasio, founder and CEO of Hipcamp, said in a press release.
“For too long, decades-old regulations have made it unnecessarily hard for people to camp. AB 518 provides a commonsense framework that expands outdoor access, helps rural communities thrive, and ensures nature is enjoyed responsibly,” Ravasio added.
Ravasio noted that Hipcamp worked closely with Assemblymember Chris Ward, who authored the legislation, along with a coalition of farmers, conservationists, and recreation advocates to help push the bill forward.
The law also gained broad support from a diverse alliance of stakeholders. Organizations ranging from the California Farm Bureau Federation to conservation groups like Audubon California and the Trust for Public Land, as well as equity-focused nonprofits including Latino Outdoors and Outdoor Afro, endorsed the legislation.
Industry groups such as the California Outdoor Recreation Partnership and Outdoor Industry Association also supported the measure.
“Farmers and ranchers have always been the best stewards of the land, and AB 518 gives them a new opportunity to share that land with Californians and visitors alike who want to experience the outdoors,” said Steven Fenaroli, policy advocacy director for the California Farm Bureau.
“This law will strengthen rural economies, support working lands, and create new ways for communities to connect with agriculture,” Fenaroli added.
Advocates also highlighted the bill’s potential to make the outdoors more inclusive. “This is a historic step toward increased equity and access to California’s outdoors,” Jazzari T. Taylor, policy advocate at Latino Outdoors, said in a press release.
“AB 518 will help break down barriers to camping and open the door for more Californians to build lasting connections with nature,” Taylor added.
Supporters also pointed to the role of outdoor recreation as an economic driver. “AB 518 reflects the values of California’s outdoor recreation community: sustainability, access, conservation, and economic innovation,” said Lexie Gritlefeld, executive director of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership.