Goldendale council approves first reading of revised park-use code to tighten camping rules

The council accepted the ordinance committee’s recommendation for revisions to Chapter 12.24 — the city’s park-use code — on first reading. The primary purpose of the revisions is to give police clearer authority to enforce prohibitions on camping and temporary shelters in parks.

Council members said the changes remove the prior allowance for tent camping per 24-hour period and add a clearer definition of "temporary shelter" so officers and staff can determine when an object or structure violates the park code. Chief of Police Mike Smith and Building Official Robert Thompson participated in committee work and discussed enforcement and definitions.

"That was the whole purpose of addressing this ordinance was to take that section out... to make it so our police department are able to really enforce those no camping" (remarks summarizing the ordinance committee discussion by the mayor and staff).

Steve Johnston said he was uneasy about the definition of "temporary shelter," expressing concern that a broad definition could be interpreted in ways the council did not intend; staff pointed out that the specific tent-camping allowance had been crossed out in later pages and the definition exists to support enforcement of existing prohibitions. Council moved and seconded to accept the park-use code for its first reading; the motion passed by voice vote. The second reading is scheduled for the council's next meeting, at which point the ordinance could take effect if adopted.

The council acknowledged contributions from the ordinance committee, the police department and the building official in preparing the draft revisions and requested any further suggested edits ahead of second reading.