Spokane Valley council adopts ordinance limiting private camping with narrow exceptions

The Spokane Valley City Council on Feb. 4 adopted Ordinance No. 20418, a change to city code that narrows where private camping is allowed on private property. The ordinance passed 6–1.

City staff said the ordinance prohibits most private camping on private property while preserving exceptions for established campgrounds and RV parks, recreational vehicles using a temporary city permit and camping on private property when a legally established residence is present and an owner, lessee or tenant is physically present and gives permission.

"This would prohibit private camping on private property, with a few exceptions," said Kelly Concrete, a city staff member who presented the ordinance to council. Concrete told the council the draft language had been revised several times based on prior council and public input and explained the approach to enforcement: where camping creates a nuisance or dangerous condition, code enforcement would act.

The ordinance initially included a 48-hour limit for camping on property with a legal residence; after public comment and council discussion staff removed that time limit from the version the council adopted. Concrete said the intent was to avoid creating an enforcement rule that would be easy to circumvent while leaving enforcement focused on nuisances and hazards.

Jenny Nickerson, the city's building official, said the current temporary-use permit fee listed in the Master Fee Schedule is "in excess of $500." City Manager John Holman said staff plan to propose a lower, nominal fee when the fee schedule returns to council, describing it as "$30 something like that." The council did not set a temporary-use permit fee during the Feb. 4 meeting.

Council Member Merkel proposed an alternative approach that would have separated camping on undeveloped parcels from camping in backyards and created a voluntary registration program for undeveloped-property owners; the motion to replace the ordinance language failed for lack of a second.

Public comment included several residents who supported the ordinance language. "I like the language in here because I think it does protect myself as a homeowner," said Dan Lund, a Spokane Valley resident.

The council adopted the ordinance by recorded voice vote: motion passed 6–1.

Council members and staff said the ordinance aims to balance property rights and neighborhood safety by allowing property owners, tenants or lessees to permit camping on their property while giving enforcement tools when camping creates a nuisance or public-safety hazard. Staff indicated additional details, including the temporary-use permit fee, will be addressed when the fee schedule returns to council.