Boise council adopts ordinance to implement state camping ban; $10 infraction, outreach to continue

Boise — The Boise City Council on Monday approved changes to municipal code to comply with Idaho Senate Bill 1141, commonly referenced at City Hall as the Galloway Law, making prolonged public camping or sleeping on certain public property an infraction with a proposed $10 penalty beginning July 1.

Chief of Police Tim Dennison told council the changes reflect state law and remove the prior requirement that officers confirm shelter availability before taking enforcement action. “With the passing of SB 1141 … it will prohibit cities with populations greater than 100,000 or more from authorizing, permitting, or enabling public camping or sleeping on public property,” Dennison said, adding the city has already drafted ordinance and departmental policy language to align with the statute.

The ordinance adopted by the council (ORD 24-25) revises several code chapters to add a public-camping prohibition on roadways, rights-of-way, parks and certain other public property; it sets the penalty as an infraction with a $10 fine if the council’s effective date is approved. The council also amended related disorderly conduct, parks, and parking sections to reflect the new enforcement approach.

Dennison summarized Boise Police Department (BPD) practice over the last three years, saying BPD issued 74 citations related to public camping and had not made physical arrests on those matters; enforcement historically considered available shelter capacity. He said the state law “will remove some level of discretion from officers. We will have to take some form of action when we become aware of public camping … whether it’s in a vehicle, a shelter, or for that prolonged period of time.” He added officers will still be directed to provide education and to connect people with resources and that, “for certain issues, it will be appropriate. Officers will issue citations.”

Council members stressed the city must continue housing-first, wraparound services alongside enforcement. Councilmember Willits said she appreciated efforts to avoid creating a heavy financial burden on people experiencing homelessness: “Whether it’s $10 or $100, it’s a further burden for somebody who maybe doesn't have that to spend,” she said. Several council members thanked BPD and outreach partners for increased engagement and asked staff to track outcomes and costs, including officer overtime.

Dennison told the council BPD has invested about $227,000 in overtime in targeted enforcement and outreach in the shoreline area and said the department has received positive feedback from businesses and residents in that area. He said officers may exercise discretion when the issue is abated at the time of contact, but that habitual offenders could be cited and that judges could subsequently consider mitigation or waive fines. “If it is somebody who may need to engage in mental health treatment or drug rehab, does a citation have to be issued? … I think officers may exercise a level of discretion as long as the issue is abated in that moment,” he said.

Council members also discussed ordinance naming conventions; Dennison and others explained staff referenced the bill’s sponsor in internal nomenclature for clarity, not to create a permanent legislative naming convention. The council approved the ordinance at third reading after deliberation; a roll-call vote showed the measure carried.

The council and police said outreach materials and resource maps will be prepared for distribution, and that the city will continue to pursue housing and supportive services as primary solutions to homelessness. The ordinance and related departmental policy changes take effect in coordination with the state law’s July 1 effective date.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance ORD 24-25 (camping/public camping enforcement) — adopted (vote tally: yes: 5; no: 0; abstain: 0).