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Gallatin County adopts ordinance banning camping on unincorporated public property
Summary
The Gallatin County Commission approved an ordinance making camping on county-owned property and rights of way unlawful in unincorporated areas; the measure carries misdemeanor penalties and will take effect about 30 days after adoption. Supporters said it clarifies enforcement; opponents urged caution about criminalizing homelessness.
The Gallatin County Commission on July 15 approved a second-reading ordinance making it unlawful to camp on county-owned property and public rights of way in the county’s unincorporated areas.
The ordinance, introduced by Deputy County Attorney Leanne Certain, says its purpose is “to promote health, safety, and the general welfare of the citizens of Gallatin County” and to protect county property and rights of way from unintended uses. Certain told the commission the measure defines terms such as “camp,” “public property” and “public right of way,” and makes a violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or…
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