Boulder City adopts ordinance restricting camping and storing property in public places with permit exceptions

Boulder City’s council voted unanimously June 3 to adopt Bill 2079, an ordinance amending Title 7, Chapter 5 of the city code to prohibit camping, sleeping and the storage of personal property in many public places, while creating limited permitting pathways for undeveloped land and sanctioned special events.

City Attorney Britney Walker told the council the measure was drafted to match language used by neighboring jurisdictions and to give local staff tools to clear camps that obstruct rights-of-way or create health and safety concerns. ‘‘There’s an enabling section to allow the parks and recreation director to issue special‑use permits for camping on undeveloped city land for up to 14 consecutive days and to authorize camping as part of a special event,’’ Walker said during her presentation.

Nut graph: Supporters said the ordinance will protect public safety and access; opponents and disability advocates raised concerns it could criminalize people who are sleeping in parks or present ambiguities on enforcement and exemptions. Several residents urged clearer wording, stronger referrals to social services and alternatives such as sanitation pods.

During public comment, Jack Carey, a longtime resident and disability advocate, warned the ordinance as written could conflict with federal court precedent addressing criminalization of homelessness. ‘‘Just as the state may not criminalize being homeless in public places,’’ Carey said, citing Ninth Circuit decisions, ‘‘we have to be careful that the law does not punish unavoidable conduct of people without housing.’’ Walker and councilmembers responded that the draft was modeled after other jurisdictions and that recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions altered earlier Ninth Circuit holdings; she said staff had coordinated with county social‑service partners and intended to continue referral work.

Police Chief Shea described enforcement practice as discretion-first: officers will offer referrals and transportation to available shelter beds when possible and write citations or make arrests only when an individual refuses lawful direction and safety issues are present. ‘‘We direct people toward services that are available,’’ Shea said, adding officers regularly give resource lists and bus passes.

Council members pressed for clarifications on the permit process (fees must be set by resolution), operational details for enforcement and how the city will coordinate with Clark County social services. Council also directed staff to proceed with public education before active enforcement. After deliberation, the council voted to approve Bill 2079 as proposed; the ordinance will take effect 20 days after publication, and administrative permit forms are to be posted once the ordinance is in effect.

What’s next: Staff said a public outreach and education period will precede citations, and the parks and rec director will publish permit application procedures online. Council members said they remain open to future amendments based on implementation feedback.