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Council adopts ordinances tightening rules for camping on public and private property
Summary
The council approved an amendment prohibiting camping on public property without governmental permission and a new ordinance limiting camping on private property to 72 hours (exceptions for RV parks). Both measures passed on first council action at the meeting.
The City Council approved two ordinances amending local rules on camping.
A staff presentation described an amendment to the city code (Chapter 7) that clarifies the definition of "camping" on public property and prohibits camping on public property unless the camper has permission from the governmental agency that owns the land. "This is an ordinance that amends the current ordinance on camping on public properties and clarifies the definition and also prohibits camping on public property list," a staff presenter said. The ordinance was brought forward as a continuation from a first reading held Oct. 28, 2025, and council members voted to adopt the amendment.
Council also adopted a new ordinance (adding Article 7.17) that prohibits camping on private property for more than 72 hours and restricts camping to rear yards in certain circumstances, while explicitly excepting RV parks (which, under local rules, are limited to locations along Highway 62). Staff characterized the change as intended to reduce long‑term encampments on vacant lots. "This is a new ordinance that, prohibits camping on private property for more than 72 hours," staff said. The measure passed on council motion and voice vote.
Council did not attach an implementation timeline in the presentation; staff did not identify penalties beyond a general "penalty clause" referenced in the ordinance language on the agenda. The council's recorded votes on both items were unanimous among members present.
