FIREWORKS FINE $1,000

The California Penal Code, section 602(o), provides that private property owners may authorize local law enforcement to arrest trespassers under certain provisions. A Letter of Authority must be on file, and signs must be posted. The letter of authority is not to be interpreted as a request to obligate the Police Department to provide exclusive patrol of the owner’s private property.

The owner or owner’s agent must provide and post a “No Trespass” sign(s) on the property. The police department does not provide signs to the requester(s).

The Letter of Authority is only valid for the limited number of days limited by California law under Penal Code section 602(o). 

Effective Wednesday, May 13th, 2020, the Merced Police Department is no longer doing paper forms for submitting a Letter of Authority. The process is electronic. After submitting the electronic form, the residence will be flagged as having a Letter of Authority on file.

It is the responsibility of the requester to renew the Letter prior to the expiration. The Merced Police Department will not send a notification that a Letter is nearing expiration.

Here is a sample No Trespassing sign that you can use.

Click HERE to submit your Letter of Authority.

Contact 209-385-6912 if you have general questions regarding the Letter of Authority process.

Contact Lance Eber at 209-385-4701 if you're having technical difficulties with the electronic form.

SAMPLE SIGN

Minimum size of letters is two inches 2" in height

Minimum width of sign is twelve inches 12"

Minimum height of sign is twelve inches 12"