Casa Grande council adopts urban camping ban, amends park rules with Oct. 1 implementation date

The Casa Grande City Council on Monday approved two ordinances that ban urban camping on many public spaces and revise park regulations, setting an effective date of Oct. 1 to allow outreach and coordination with nonprofit partners.

City officials said the ordinances respond to unclear local rules and recent court decisions and are intended to let staff move people from disruptive locations while preserving options for temporary, permitted camping and services. "We want to treat people with dignity and respect," a city staff presenter said during the discussion.

The ordinances establish: no camping on public or private property in many circumstances; a prohibition on camping within 500 feet of a school, childcare facility, shelter or park; a ban on washing in fountains, splash pads or lakes; a 24-hour notice requirement for removal of property from public areas with storage of confiscated items for 10 days; and a two-hour limit on use of Ramadas without a permit. The city manager and community services director retain authority to issue temporary permits for camps tied to events or youth activities.

Council members asked about outreach and signage. The presenter said the city will run a public information campaign, post signs at parks and Ramadas and meet with nonprofit partners before Oct. 1. "We're going to have a staff meeting of the different departments here in the next couple weeks, and then we're going to develop a plan," the presenter said.

Public commenters during the meeting urged caution and additional time to develop shelter alternatives. Barbara Sundust, a Casa Grande resident who identified herself as operating a laundry outreach for unhoused people, described serving dozens of residents and urged more shelter options. Charles William Ellis, who identified himself as unsheltered, asked the council to "table it for a couple of months" to allow time to propose safe locations.

Mayor and council members and staff described parallel efforts with nonprofit partners and cooling/hydration stations already available at locations including the public library. Deputy Chief Leos and other public-safety staff attended the meeting and were thanked by council members for coordination with nonprofit groups.

Both ordinances passed on roll-call votes. The city set Oct. 1 as the ordinances' effective date to allow signage, outreach and coordination with service providers. Officials emphasized that enforcement will be coupled with outreach and that the city intends to provide information on available cooling and hydration sites.

Less urgent logistical details — including specific sign designs, the exact list of nonprofit partners and the full enforcement protocol — were described as items staff will finalize during the lead-up to the effective date.

The council also approved a separate, minor amendment to park use rules that adjusts Ramada usage and unattended property procedures; that ordinance was adopted at the same meeting and will operate alongside the urban-camping chapter.