Gallatin County commissioners held a first reading July 1 of a proposed ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property and public rights of way in unincorporated areas of the county.

Deputy County Attorney Leanne Certain, who introduced the ordinance, said its purpose is “to promote the health, safety, and general well welfare of the citizens of Gallatin County as well as our public property” and described the measure’s definitions, enforcement and penalties.

The ordinance text defines camping and public rights of way, grants the county authority to regulate public property and roads, and makes camping where not expressly permitted a misdemeanor. Certain said the penalty for a violation is a fine up to $500 and imprisonment up to 10 days.

Sheriff Dan Springer told the commission the measure is intended as an enforcement tool of "last resort." "The idea here is not to criminalize, you know, urban camping," Springer said. "The intention here is to have the enforcement tool if needed and when needed." He and commissioners said the sheriff’s office will continue community policing and outreach to connect people to services.

Members of the public gave mixed comments. Kathy Tatum of Bozeman urged the county to “eradicate urban camping once and for all,” saying growth in Bozeman has strained local law enforcement. Another speaker, Eric of Bozeman, said the ordinance “lacks nuance and specificity” and urged the county to ensure shelter and services are available before criminalizing camping.

Commissioners and staff said they reviewed Bozeman’s approach, considered a permit-based model and concluded the county lacks the capacity and scale of complaints to administer a permit program. One commissioner said the sheriff’s office receives roughly 60 camping-related complaints per year and that the county has invested in shelter and services in recent years, including support for HRDC’s Homeward Point and mobile crisis services.

The commission voted to advance the ordinance on first reading; the second reading is scheduled for July 15. If adopted on second reading, the ordinance would take effect 30 days after that action.

The commission and staff emphasized that the ordinance text is designed to be legally plain and administrable while leaving enforcement discretion and any detailed protocols to law enforcement leadership and partnering service providers.