San Rafael council introduces park-wide ban on camping after six-month review, 3-1

San Rafael — Following a six-month evaluation of the city's camping ordinance and an update on the sanctioned camping area, the City Council on April 7 introduced (by title) an ordinance to prohibit camping in all city parks and waived further reading; the motion passed 3-1.

City staff framed the recommendation around two sets of facts: (1) operational data from the six-month review and (2) wildfire hazard considerations. Staff reported a 38% increase in public calls for service related to camping since the ordinance's implementation, a near 18% drop in campsite warning reports, and that "as of April 4" there were no individuals camping in city parks. Staff also reported the sanctioned camping area has operated at full capacity (50 participants) since October 2024 and has produced early housing and employment outcomes.

Assistant City Manager Christine and homelessness staff presented staff's reasoning that camping introduces ignition risks (campfires, cooking flames, discarded smoking materials) in parks now designated in Cal Fire's updated hazard-severity maps. "Camping activities introduce significant ignition sources ... which can easily ignite dry grasses and brush in our parks," staff said, and proposed an amendment to Chapter 19.50 of the municipal code to prohibit camping in all parks as a preventative public-safety measure.

Council debate reflected a split: supporters said adopting the ordinance restores local time-place-manner regulation and reduces wildfire risk, while opponents warned a park-wide ban is premature when few or no people currently camp in parks and underscored that housing capacity remains the primary solution. Councilmember Hill said she would not support the ordinance as written, arguing it does not address root causes; another councilmember moved to introduce the ordinance and the motion passed 3-1.

Service providers and residents offered competing perspectives during public comment. Mark Shotwell, chief executive officer of Ritter Center, praised the city's approach to couple regulation with services and said the sanctioned camping area allows providers to deliver concentrated case management and medical services onsite. Jason Sarris, co-chair of the Marin County Lived Experience Advisory Board, urged caution and called a park-wide ban a "preemptive strike" while parks are empty; several formerly unhoused speakers described how access to open spaces could reduce tension and help people survive on the streets.

Staff said the March 27 temporary administrative order that currently prohibits camping in parks will remain in effect until the ordinance takes effect (30 days after adoption). They also reviewed existing ordinance provisions: campsite size maximums, 10-foot buffers between campsites and public infrastructure, a 5-foot setback from roadway pavement and extended buffer distances from schools and playgrounds, and the 24/48-hour notice process used when enforcement is necessary.

The council directed staff to continue collaboration with county partners on shelter and housing capacity. The ordinance was introduced by motion and will return at a subsequent meeting for formal adoption and final action.