Residents at the Olive Dell Ranch in Redlands, one of Southern California’s oldest nudist resorts, are locked in a heated dispute with property owners who they claim have disconnected their electricity in retaliation for a lawsuit filed against a new mandatory clothing policy.
The conflict began when the resort owners enacted a policy requiring residents to wear clothing in public areas, prompting many residents to file a civil lawsuit in 2025. Now, tensions have escalated as some residents report having their power disconnected, leaving them without essential services.
“I have no idea what their motivation is,” said resident Nancy Roeder, “But this is harassment.” Roeder explained that she relies on a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, while her partner needs a nebulizer twice daily for asthma management.
The power disconnections have left some residents without hot water, as many use electric water heaters. More concerning are the disabled residents who depend on electricity for medical equipment.
Resident Jim Ramer, who has a pacemaker that requires hospital monitoring, claims his power was cut despite never missing a payment. “I’ve been paying every month,” Ramer told ABC7. “It’s very stressful.”
Similarly, resident Jim Hillis said he’s maintained his payments but the landlord refused to cash his checks. “I wrote a check, mailed it, got proof of mailing from the bank,” Hillis said. “It was delivered, but she refused to cash the check.”
Tina Coffelt, identified as one of the co-owners, defended the power disconnections, citing unpaid bills. “We have pulled the meters for lack of payment,” Coffelt said. “You can look up Penal Code 498, stealing electricity is a felony.” She also claimed some residents attempted to purchase their own electric meters, which she said is illegal.
Regarding the clothing policy, Coffelt was direct: “If you want to run around naked, go to a naked place. We’re not doing that anymore.”
Attorney Frances Campbell, representing many residents in the civil lawsuit, argues the policy violates their civil rights. “The civil rights act prohibits any business from discriminating against anyone based on their characteristics,” Campbell said, noting that being a nudist could be considered a characteristic.
Campbell described Olive Dell as a private, secluded resort that’s “not something a member of the public is going to just happen upon,” adding that the landlord has filed at least 23 unlawful detainers to evict residents. “There’s a state law that prohibits landlords from, with the intent to evict, turning off people’s utilities,” Campbell explained to reporters.
The dispute has already led to police involvement. When residents called Redlands Police to report the removal of electric meters, officers initially deemed it a civil matter. However, they returned after a physical altercation between a landlord’s employee and a tenant resulted in both parties being arrested for mutual combat.
According to a Los Angeles Times report, the lawsuit includes 56 plaintiffs seeking at least $5 million in damages. The suit alleges Civil Rights Act violations, unfair business practices, financial elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, labor code violations, wrongful termination, negligence, and breach of contract.
The community has already faced significant challenges, including a shocking double homicide in 2024 that drew widespread attention to the resort.
Resident Chet Smith, a 52-year-old Marine Corps veteran and plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the community once thrived with events and activities before the new ownership took a more active role in 2023. The resort was renamed “Olive Dell RV Park and Resort,” which residents believe was done to circumvent California’s Mobilehome Residency Law that limits rent increases and evictions.
As the legal battle continues, a court date is set for the plaintiffs and attorneys on February 28, 2026.
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