Growing RV Encampments Spark Fire and Safety Concerns in Otay Mesa West

The cities of San Diego and Chula Vista are facing a jurisdictional standoff over an expanding RV encampment on Otay Valley Road, where residents claim city officials are passing off responsibility for a growing safety hazard. While Chula Vista has reportedly cleared portions of the site on its side of the border, the City of San Diego maintains that it cannot enter private property to remove waste or encampments, leaving a growing cluster of RVs and shanty-style structures in the Otay Mesa West area.

The dispute centers on a stretch of land near the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater and Avenida De Las Vistas. What began in February as a single RV and a boat has grown into a larger settlement featuring renovated vehicles and outdoor living areas. Local resident Jerry Allen, who has reported the site via the city’s “Get It Done” app, says the encampment is a fire and health risk to the Vista Pacifica neighborhood.

According to Allen, the proximity of the encampment to the hillside creates a dangerous scenario where a fire could spread rapidly, potentially trapping residents before emergency services arrive. Allen reports that the initial presence of the RVs has acted as a catalyst, enticing additional vehicles to settle along the road.

Jurisdictional Disputes and the ‘Get It Done’ App

The location of the encampments straddles the municipal boundary between San Diego and Chula Vista, creating a bureaucratic hurdle for enforcement. Residents using the City of San Diego’s Get It Done app have seen some requests forwarded to Chula Vista, indicating uncertainty over which city holds authority over specific parcels of land.

Evidence at the scene, including a sign marking the exit from Chula Vista, suggests the encampments are split. According to Allen, Chula Vista officials have visited the site to clear RVs from their jurisdiction, but San Diego has not taken similar action on its side of the line.

Emails from a District 8 council representative indicate that San Diego officials have been communicating with Chula Vista to coordinate a remedy. However, Allen claims the lack of visible progress suggests a lack of concern from the city council regarding the residents of the South Bay area.

San Diego’s Stance on Private Property and Enforcement

The City of San Diego has addressed the situation through an official statement, clarifying the legal limits of its enforcement powers. The city asserts that it addresses encampments located in the public right-of-way but lacks the authority to enter private property to remove waste or structures without owner consent.

According to the city statement, if encampments are reported on private property, code officers work with the property owners to resolve the issue. If owners remain non-compliant, the city may issue citations. The city also noted that property owners can request a Letter of Agency, also known as a Trespass Arrest Authorization, which allows the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) to enforce trespassing laws on private property without the owner’s immediate presence.

The city further stated that officers from the SDPD’s Neighborhood Policing Division are aware of the concerns in the Otay Mesa West area and will continue to respond to reports and take enforcement actions as deemed appropriate.

Safety Concerns in Vista Pacifica

The growth of the settlement has coincided with a broader housing boom in the South Bay. Residents like Allen argue that tax dollars should be utilized to ensure neighborhood safety and the removal of hazardous structures. The current setup includes not only RVs but also shanty-style living rooms and luxury vehicles, such as a Mercedes-Benz, parked among the encampments.

The primary concern for the community remains the volatility of the hillside location.

As the jurisdictional debate continues, the city of San Diego’s reliance on property owner cooperation remains the primary bottleneck for removal. Until a Letter of Agency is filed or the property is deemed a public health emergency, the city’s stated policy is to limit intervention to the public right-of-way.

The next step for residents involves continued reporting through official channels and potential coordination between the District 8 council office and Chula Vista city management to determine the exact property lines of the remaining structures.

Do you live in the South Bay area or have experience with jurisdictional disputes between cities? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.