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Spokane County removes shelter-capacity exemption from public camping code; commissioners cite sheriff policy and call for housing solutions
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to delete the section of Spokane County Code that suspended enforcement of the public camping ordinance when shelter space was unavailable, aligning the code with recent federal court rulings; commissioners and community speakers emphasized enforcement should be balanced with outreach and more housing.
Spokane County commissioners voted 4-0 Feb. 18 to amend Spokane County Code chapter 6.15 by eliminating section 6.1508, the provision that had suspended enforcement of the county’s public camping rules when local shelter space was unavailable.
Chief civil deputy Matt Folsom told the board the change is intended to align the county code with recent federal case law. “The US Supreme Court overturned Martin v City of Boise in the Grama Pass v Johnson decision. There is no longer a shelter space requirement for the enforcement of anti camping ordinances,” Folsom said. The proposed amendment removes the sentence that read: enforcement of this chapter shall be suspended anytime that there is no space available in the homeless shelters located within Spokane County.
The public hearing drew multiple speakers with differing views. Emily Cameron, president and CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, said unlawful camping interferes with business operations and public safety and supported the amendment while urging balanced outreach and services. “Keeping our communities safe while supporting connections to individuals out of homelessness is some of the most pressing issues,” Cameron said.
Sheriff John Knowles told the board the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office supports removing the code language but that deputies follow an agency policy that prioritizes voluntary compliance and connecting people to services wherever possible. “Our policy is we will do everything we can to not have to use this ordinance,” Knowles said. Commissioner Jordan read excerpts of the sheriff’s policy manual into the record, including that “Homelessness is not a crime” and that deputies should provide resources and consider voluntary alternatives when safe to do so.
Several outreach providers and residents opposed removal of the shelter-capacity exemption, saying shelter beds are often unavailable. Sheryl Brown of Jules Helping Hands said criminalizing homelessness when shelter space is not available is inhumane and pushes people into unsafe, hidden locations. Outreach worker Lydia Ciccarelli said, “There are no options, and yet people are being criminalized, ticketed, arrested,” and told the board she has lost clients in the past month.
Commissioners framed the vote as narrowly focused: the change removes the specific shelter-capacity sentence but does not alter existing sheriff policies or regional work on housing and services. Commissioner Waldraf said she would support the amendment while continuing regional work to expand housing and services; Commissioner French urged continued regional investment and programs such as reunification and crisis services. The motion to approve the code amendment passed 4 to 0.
County and commission remarks emphasized that the change applies to unincorporated Spokane County and that further regional collaboration, housing development and outreach remain priorities.
