Spokane Valley council advances ordinance to restrict camping on private property after extended debate

The Spokane Valley City Council voted on Jan. 14 to advance Ordinance 24-018 to a second reading, a proposed amendment to the Spokane Valley Municipal Code that would generally prohibit camping on private property while carving out several explicit exceptions. Council also adopted an amendment requiring staff to deliver an annual review of the ordinance’s effects before a final vote.

The draft ordinance, introduced at tonight’s meeting, would prohibit private-property camping citywide but allow camping in four circumstances: legally established campgrounds and RV parks; short-term recreational-vehicle use approved through a temporary-use permit (up to three days for non-construction uses); temporary RV occupancy tied to an active building permit when a residence is under repair or construction; and limited, owner-authorized camping on private lots. The owner-authorized exceptions differ by lot type: on lots with a legally habitable residence, camping would be allowed only if the owner is present and authorizes it and the camping does not exceed 48 consecutive hours in any 30-day period; on unimproved parcels without a habitable residence, owner-authorized camping would be allowed up to 14 days per calendar year, the draft states.

City Attorney’s Office staff member Kelly Concrete described the ordinance’s intent and the four exceptions. City staff presented photographs of recurring encampments on private parcels—including railroad right-of-way and steep, hidden hillsides—saying such sites create access, fire and cleanup challenges and often fall into cycles of repeated enforcement when property owners are not present to arrange cleanup. Building official Jenny Nickerson told the council code enforcement has logged 101 RV- and camping-related investigations since Jan. 1, 2024, many requiring repeated follow-up because current rules provide limited remedies for some private-property situations.

Council discussion focused on balancing property rights and neighborhood impacts. Council Member Yeager and several members said they were uncomfortable with the 48-hour limit, calling it restrictive for private-family uses such as visiting relatives. Council Member Merkle proposed extending the owner-present exception from 48 hours in 30 days to 30 days in 60 days; that motion failed. Several council members, including Wicht and Padden, said the revised draft narrows prior ambiguity and provides more enforcement clarity for businesses and homeowners who have complained about long-term encampments on nearby vacant lots.

Public commentators were sharply divided. Some residents and property-rights advocates said a camping ban on private property would unfairly constrain homeowners, grandparents and guests using tents or RVs on family property. Other speakers, including business owners and representatives of nonprofit and public-safety partners, urged the city to provide tools to address well-established encampments that have generated trash, fires and hazards on private parcels where an owner is absent or unreachable.

Councilmember Padden moved to amend the ordinance to require a yearly report back to council on the ordinance’s effects; the amendment passed. After further discussion the council voted to advance Ordinance 24-018 to a second reading; the ordinance was not adopted tonight and will return for additional consideration.

What’s next: The ordinance will return for a second reading with any additional staff adjustments. Council directed staff to provide data and to use the annual review called for by the amendment to inform any final changes before adoption.