San Bernardino, CA – A legal battle has erupted at the Olive Dell Ranch, once celebrated as the “friendliest nudist resort in Southern California,” after management instituted a policy forcing residents to wear clothes “at all times.” This abrupt change has sparked a lawsuit brought forth by current and former tenants, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and disabled persons.
The controversy centers around a management decision to convert Olive Dell Ranch from a nudist park to a textile park, effectively banning the long-standing clothing-optional lifestyle and causing distress among its residents. The lawsuit alleges that management employed “arbitrary rules” and “costs” designed to pressure tenants into compliance or risk eviction.
The Sudden Shift from Nudist to Textile Park
In November 2023, residents received a formal notification signaling a drastic policy change: the ranch would no longer be a nudist resort.
- The letter declared the resort’s transformation into a “textile park,” meaning clothing would be required at all times within all common areas starting December 6, 2024, and at all premises including mobile home sites from January 6, 2025.
- This policy marked a sharp departure from the resort’s original clothing-optional ethos, which had defined the community for years.
The change has frustrated residents who feel blindsided by the management’s enforcement tactics and unilateral decisions that have added anxiety and fear for those who wish to uphold the resort’s traditional lifestyle.
Allegations of Coercion and Illegal Practices
The complaint filed in May 2024 in the Superior Court of San Bernardino accuses the defendants of conspiring to evict tenants to increase the property’s value, imposing arbitrary rules and costs, and even forcing tenants to work for the management.
“Each of the Defendants knew that their actions were illegal but also knew that the tenants would be put into a state [of] anxiety and fear if they did not comply with the illegal demands,” the complaint reads.
Residents argue that such maneuvers constitute illegal harassment and breach the terms protecting tenants in mobile home parks — specifically that management cannot unilaterally change the rules without proper notice.
- Many tenants are vulnerable community members, including seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and disabled individuals.
- Several tenants have expressed concerns over ongoing neglect since the arrival of new management in 2019.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
The lawsuit underscores the tensions between management seeking to revamp the resort’s business model and a dedicated community fighting to retain its unique culture and lifestyle.
The case also raises broader questions about tenant rights and the challenges faced by those living in mobile home parks under new management directives.
Efforts to contact Olive Dell Ranch management for comment as of September 5, 2024 were unsuccessful.
What Do You Think About This Controversy?
The Olive Dell Ranch case highlights a clash between longstanding tradition and evolving property management policies. What are your thoughts on the forced clothing policy and the tenants’ lawsuit? Have you ever experienced or visited a nudist resort? Share your perspective and experiences in the comments below.
