California Nudists in Legal Battle Over Clothing Mandate
From birthday suits to lawsuits. California nudists are now facing legal challenges after the new owner of a long-standing nudist resort has mandated residents to wear clothing.
Olive Dell Ranch, a 136-acre haven nestled in the San Jacinto Foothills of San Bernardino County, has served as a sanctuary for naturists since its establishment in 1952, offering amenities like RV and mobile home sites, clubhouses, pools, trails, and dining.
Unfortunately, this lifestyle faced a major shift in 2019 when the property was purchased by new owners. Just four years later, they announced plans to convert the resort into a “textile” space, prompting numerous residents to voice their objections.
This change is more than just a new policy for residents; it feels like an attack on their identities, according to Francis M. Campbell, a lawyer representing over 50 current and former residents who have filed a lawsuit against the resort.
The lawsuit accuses the owners—Mark Gracie, Brian Cleland, and Tina Coffeelut—of violating civil rights, harassing tenants, and engaging in elder abuse, all while conspiring to displace the nudist community to grow the property’s value.
Campbell shared that residents are trying their best to improve the ranch with their resources and hope the lawsuit will lead to a positive outcome.
Longtime residents claim the new management has failed to honor the promise of preserving Olive Dell’s naturist legacy. Instead, they allege that renters are labeled as “nasty people,” while rent increases, eviction threats, and poor maintenance have become the norm.
According to the lawsuit, the pool has been neglected, leading to it becoming green; saunas and restaurants are closed; community events canceled; and water systems have been disregarded, impacting areas prone to fire hazards.
Residents have also reported a decrease in essential services, with garbage collection going unattended and electricity costs skyrocketing after private meters were implemented. The infrastructure, such as roads and recreational facilities, has visibly deteriorated.
The complaint notes that the recent changes appear to aim at forcing residents out—many of whom are elderly, veterans, or disabled and live on fixed incomes—rather than working collaboratively.
In response to ongoing neglect, residents have attempted repairs themselves, but their patience wore thin when Olive Dell formally announced its transformation into a textiles resort in late 2024. They argue this shift essentially alters the cultural fabric of the community.
For many naturists, being nude is a philosophy centered on body acceptance and living harmoniously with nature. They liken being compelled to wear clothing to forcing a religious group to abandon its rituals.
The lawsuit suggests that the owners target those resisting this clothing mandate, and it claims there were attempts to dissuade residents from reporting concerns to authorities during initial conflicts.
Last year, a disturbing incident occurred when a resident was accused of murdering two elderly neighbors, and the lawsuit states that management did not properly secure or clean the area after the incident, leaving residents feeling unsafe.
Documents reveal significant neglect of the resort, with infrastructure failing, increased costs pushing residents out, and a lack of basic maintenance as they strive to uphold the nudist principles while battling the clothing requirement in court.
Campbell asserts, “That’s not how rules work at mobile home parks,” emphasizing that proper procedures should be followed.
The complaint also mentions financial elder abuse, claiming that many long-term tenants who live on fixed incomes are being unfairly targeted with rising charges and inadequate services.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and an injunction to restore Olive Dell’s status as a nudist park.
Comments have been requested from the owner of Olive Dell.
