From Freedom to Fines: California Nudists File Lawsuit Over Resort Rules
California’s naturist community is taking legal action after the owners of a historic nudist resort mandated clothing for residents.
Olive Dell Ranch, nestled in the San Jacinto foothills of San Bernardino County, has served as a haven for nudists for over seven decades. Established in 1952, the 136-acre property featured RV spaces, mobile homes, a clubhouse, swimming pool, trails, and a restaurant—all aimed at promoting a lifestyle that embraces nudity as natural and liberating.
However, this lifestyle faced significant challenges following a change in ownership in 2019. Four years later, the new proprietors announced a shift to a “textile” policy, requiring all residents to wear clothing at all times.
For many long-term inhabitants, this decision felt like an attack on their way of life. Frances M. Campbell, an attorney representing over 50 current and former community members now pursuing legal action against the resort, described the case as fundamentally about anti-discrimination.
Filed in a California state court, the lawsuit accuses owners Mark Glasier, Brian Cleland, and Tina Coffelt of infringing on civil rights, harassing residents, committing elder abuse, and conspiring to evict the nudist community to enhance property value.
“Essentially, they’re investing to improve the area while hoping this lawsuit alters the situation,” Campbell remarked.
Residents claim that the new management has failed to honor their commitment to maintain Olive Dell’s nudist legacy. Instead, they report being disparaged as “nasty people,” facing exorbitant rent increases, eviction threats, and witnessing the property fall into disrepair.
The lawsuit details how basic amenities deteriorated: the pool turned murky, the sauna and restaurant were shut down, community events were axe, and the water system fell into neglect, leaving residents without drinking water in a potentially hazardous area.
According to claims, trash collection services were disrupted, and utility costs surged after new meters were installed. The state of roads, showers, and tennis courts also declined.
Now, the lawsuit alleges that these new regulations and tactics were developed to force out residents, many of whom are seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities residing on fixed incomes.
In response to the property neglect, residents took it upon themselves to restore the pool and mend roadways. However, tensions escalated when the official announcement to enforce a clothing mandate came in late 2024, perceived as a significant cultural shift that undermined the ranch’s original mission.
For many naturists, nudity represents more than mere exposure; it embodies bodily acceptance and a close connection with nature. They argue that being compelled to wear clothes is akin to forcing a religious community to abandon its practices.
The lawsuit further alleges that owners harassed residents who resisted these changes, with threats of eviction and pressure not to contact law enforcement during earlier disputes.
In a tragic twist, a resident was charged with the double homicide of two elderly neighbors last year. The lawsuit claims the owners neglected to secure or clean the crime scene, resulting in infestations and lingering reminders of the tragic events.
Residents describe the property as experiencing rapid decline, citing crumbling infrastructure, closed facilities, and escalating costs aimed at driving them out. They maintain they have been compelled to manage essential upkeep while simultaneously challenging the clothing requirements in court.
"This isn’t how regulations operate in mobile home parks," Campbell pointed out.
The complaint also highlights issues of financial elder abuse, alleging that many long-term residents on fixed incomes have been unfairly targeted with increased expenses and inadequate services.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages, as well as an injunction to restore Olive Dell’s status as a nudist haven.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the owners of Olive Dell Ranch have been initiated.
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