Board approves tougher unsafe‑camping rules with fire‑safety limits and conditions for enforcement

The Board of Supervisors unanimously directed staff to return with an updated unsafe‑camping ordinance that adds new prohibitions intended to reduce wildfire danger and protect county infrastructure while retaining a resources‑first enforcement approach.

County staff presented two options: leave the existing County Regulatory Code section 73.108 unchanged; or adopt a package of enhancements (Option 1) that would add (A) prohibitions on ignition sources and open fires on county lands and other specified county properties to reduce fire risk, (B) expanded restrictions on camping and vegetation removal in county public‑works easements, culverts, channels, airports, wastewater treatment sites and other infrastructure, and (C) a codified notification and personal‑property management process for encampment abatements including posting notice and storing non‑hazardous property for 90 days. Staff recommended changing the routine practice from 72‑hour notice to a 24‑hour notification in some circumstances; several public commenters urged 72 hours except when there is an imminent threat.

Supervisor Joel Anderson moved the item and framed it as a public‑safety measure for rural unincorporated neighborhoods, stressing the risk of fires in grasslands and canyons. “I don't want to see anybody die,” Anderson said. He said ignition‑source limits and seizure of fire‑starting materials in high‑risk areas are focused on protecting residents and neighborhoods rather than “punishing homeless” people.

Board members debated the notification period and the conditions for enforcement. Vice Chair Tara Lawson Reimer supported enhancement A (ignition‑source prohibition) and expressed concerns about a 24‑hour notice being too short for people who live in encampments; she said she would support retention of a 72‑hour period except when there is an imminent public‑health or public‑safety threat such as an actual fire risk. Several supervisors asked staff to include a guarantee that, before enforcement in non‑imminent cases, “sufficient and appropriate shelter beds should be available” and must be offered to eligible individuals; staff noted the county’s current temporary shelter options including 250 hotel rooms on any given night, two safe‑parking programs (44 spaces) and planned “Troy sleeping cabins” anticipated in 2026.

After extended public comment — 37 speakers in chambers and more callers, many opposing criminalization and urging housing and services instead — the board voted unanimously to advance the ordinance language and directed staff to return with an ordinance for adoption in the spring. Supervisors asked staff to consult people with lived experience and return options for where additional shelter or other temporary housing could be placed.

Why this matters: The change codifies county practices and adds specific no‑fire and infrastructure protections on unincorporated county land; it ties enforcement to risk levels and asks staff to ensure shelter options are made available before non‑imminent enforcement. Supporters framed it as a wildfire‑prevention and public‑safety measure; many public commenters urged housing solutions and warned that criminalization worsens homelessness.