Burien council adopts expanded public-camping ban in 5-2 vote amid public opposition

Burien City Council on Jan. 27, 2025, adopted Ordinance 8-64, amending Burien Municipal Code 9.85.150 (unlawful public camping) and 10.15.100 (parking), by a 5-2 roll-call vote. Councilmember Stephanie Mora moved to adopt the ordinance as an emergency measure; Councilmember Linda Akey seconded the motion. The council's vote followed a 34-minute public-comment block in which many residents urged the council to reject the measure or delay it until shelter capacity increased.

The ordinance makes it unlawful to "camp" or "store" sleeping materials on public property across the city and adds language prohibiting parking in the public right-of-way for the principal purpose of camping. City Attorney Carmen Newsom described the draft as a clearer, shorter prohibition than the city's prior "reasonable time, place and manner" approach and said it was drafted in light of recent court rulings: "cities have the right, the ability, the authority to try different things in order to figure out what works." Newsom also said implementation would rely on administrative policies and that, where available, law enforcement would offer shelter, treatment or other alternatives before enforcing the ban.

Why it matters: The ordinance affects people living outdoors in Burien and changes how local police and contracted law-enforcement (King County Sheriff's Office deputies serve under contract in Burien) may respond. Supporters argued the change is needed to reduce hazardous encampments and protect public health; opponents said it would criminalize homelessness, harm vulnerable residents and be impossible to enforce without more shelter capacity.

Public comment and council debate: The council heard about 17 public commenters, many opposing the ordinance. Jennifer Fechamba told the council: "How cruel and thoughtless can you be? This ordinance will only increase harm. I'm urging you to vote no on ordinance 8 64." Other residents echoed concerns about lack of shelter and the prospect of criminal penalties; Kelsey Vanhee said, "We deserve an offer of real shelter, not just being criminalized for existing and trying to survive." Colleen Hinton called the emergency justification unclear, and Rago DeVito warned the ordinance is "too broad and hurts folks you claim to support." Daniel Martin said, "Housing is the solution to homelessness, not criminalizing existence for those with nowhere else to go."

Councilmembers were divided. Councilmember Linda Akey and Councilmember Alex Andrade supported the ordinance and described hazardous conditions at encampments and the need for public-safety options. Councilmember Hugo Garcia and Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore voted no; Moore said in a floor statement: "I will not vote to become a city that practices banishment... I will not vote to become a city that offers a severe weather shelter on a 32 degree day and exile on a 33 degree day." Councilmember Stephanie Mora, who moved the emergency measure, and others stressed recent and expanded partnerships with service providers including The More We Love and restructured ARPA funding to create placement options.

Implementation and enforcement: The ordinance authorizes the police chief, with city manager approval, to adopt administrative policies and procedures for enforcement; the draft explicitly preserves law-enforcement discretion to offer beds, treatment or other alternatives. The city attorney referenced U.S. Supreme Court and Washington cases that shaped local options and noted that enforcement will be affected by King County's willingness to carry out arrests under the city's contract. The ordinance also directs that parking prohibitions apply where the vehicle is used primarily for camping.

Vote and next steps: On a roll call the council recorded two no votes (Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore and Councilmember Hugo Garcia) and five yes votes (Councilmembers Linda Akey, Jimmy Mata, Alex Andrade, Stephanie Mora and Mayor Kevin Schilling). Newsom told the council the city manager and police chief would prepare an implementation plan; the ordinance language allows the city to issue civil penalties subject to court discretion. The timing and manner of enforcement will depend on administrative rules and coordination with King County law enforcement and service providers.

The ordinance drew sustained public comment and is likely to remain a point of local debate as the city develops implementation policies and monitors shelter capacity and enforcement outcomes.