Committee recommends ordinance to ban camping on village-owned property

The Public Works and Protection Committee on Oct. 7 voted to recommend adoption of ordinance O10325, which would add Chapter 11, Article 5 to the Ashwaubenon Municipal Code to prohibit camping and habitation on village-owned property, including parks, right-of-way corridors and utility sites.

Joel (village staff) presented the ordinance as a tool to protect public health, safety and accessibility in parks and other village property while ensuring designated camping areas — such as a scout camp run under park-board rules — remain available by permit. The ordinance would allow the village to remove camping materials from village property and would make violations subject to penalties under section 1-113 of the Ashwaubenon Municipal Code; staff noted fines under the general violation provision could range from $1 to $5,000.

Joel said enforcement would be handled with sensitivity and coordinated with available social-service resources. Public safety officers would first ask individuals on village property to leave and would provide information about sheltering and services, including resources coordinated by the Brown County Housing and Homeless Coalition; staff said some local providers can bring resources to people who cannot travel to downtown shelters.

Committee members asked where residents should be directed when they encounter people camping on village property; staff said public safety is the first contact for village property and would coordinate referrals to shelter and support services. Staff clarified the proposed ordinance applies only to village-owned property and would not change rules about camping or RV use on private property. The committee voted to recommend adoption; the ordinance will be forwarded to the Village Board for its consideration.