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Porterville Council Adopts Stricter Unauthorized‑camping Ordinance, Council Says Enforcement Will be Coupled With Services
Summary
The Porterville City Council voted unanimously to adopt an updated ordinance regulating unauthorized camping and storage of personal property, citing public‑safety concerns. Supporters said enforcement will be paired with existing shelter capacity; critics urged more housing and outreach before sweeping encampments.
The Porterville City Council voted 5-0 to adopt an ordinance updating the city’s rules on unsafe and unauthorized camping, including new measures to protect critical infrastructure and reduce public‑health risks, city staff said.
Council members and city attorneys framed the ordinance as an effort to balance public safety and compassion. “For far too long, we have allowed the homeless to run our streets, and it’s time to start enforcing the laws that we have,” Mayor Greg Meister said during debate, arguing the city needed clearer rules to address encampments in business fronts, parks and riverways.
City Attorney Julia Lu…
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