Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Park County adopts ordinance prohibiting camping on county land after mixed public comment
Summary
Commissioners adopted an ordinance prohibiting camping on Park County lands and rights-of-way unless the commission explicitly permits camping for events; residents living in campers and a Chamber of Commerce representative offered opposing public comments during the hearing.
Park County commissioners on Jan. 13 adopted an ordinance prohibiting camping on county-owned lands and rights-of-way, with an express exception that the commission may permit camping for special events or locations such as the fairgrounds.
County attorney Paul Spigler said the draft ordinance was modeled on language used in Gallatin County and the city of Livingston and would allow the commission to explicitly permit camping for events such as fairgrounds activities. The ordinance would otherwise prohibit camping on county lands and rights-of-way.
Public comment was divided. Ryan, who said he and his wife live in a camper on Myers Flats, urged the commission not to criminalize homelessness and described hardships after being towed from Bozeman last year: "Banning the homeless doesn't cure the problem and exacerbates it," he said, adding that campers are their homes and that fines make it harder to recover.
Leslie Bridal, speaking as a county resident and on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, supported the ordinance and cited visitor-safety concerns near Livingston Peak Road, recounting a sighting of an individual behaving erratically near a popular visitor route.
Sheriff Tad Dykstra stated the sheriff’s office supports the ordinance. Fair and Parks staff later said they would work with the county attorney to draft explicit language permitting camping for special events at the fairgrounds to avoid unintended impacts on scheduled events.
The commission moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote. Commissioners and staff said they will prepare any necessary resolutions to permit camping for specific events as needed.
