Council advances camping ordinance amendments to allow daytime enforcement

The City Council on Tuesday introduced and waived first reading of amendments to chapter 9.48 of the Woodland Municipal Code that would expand locations where camping on public property is prohibited and permit daytime enforcement. Chief of Police Ryan Canan and Lieutenant Danzel said the changes respond to state law and municipal case law and would add sidewalks, alleyways, drainage channels, storm drain ponds and well sites to the ordinance’s list of restricted locations.

Lieutenant Danzel told the council staff recommended adding language to make daytime siting for camping a prosecutable offense — a change staff says gives officers more flexibility to address encampments and to offer services during daytime contacts. “We are looking at adding the section of sidewalks, alleyways, drainage channels, storm drain ponds, and well sites to the ordinance,” Lieutenant Danzel said, adding the updated language “would allow us to have a greater impact on some of our unhoused population.”

Council members pressed for measurable enforcement outcomes and closer coordination with the district attorney and courts. Council Member Landsberg urged the city to track both citation activity and effectiveness: “I’d like to see some concrete results, including the numbers that you would have for 2026 and effectiveness,” he said. Staff said some data already show reductions in calls for service related to homelessness and that they would provide citation counts and performance measures to council.

After council discussion and no public opposition at the meeting, Council Member Moreno moved to adopt the staff recommendation for the first reading and Council Member Garcia Cadena seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.