Park County commissioners direct attorney to draft no‑camping ordinance for county property and easements

The Park County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9 voted to direct the county attorney to draft a no‑camping ordinance covering county property and easements.

A commissioner said the proposal was prompted by public comments and ordinances adopted in nearby jurisdictions, adding that local law enforcement supports moving now "to head off the problem." The commissioner said he had spoken with the undersheriff and Sheriff Bickler, and asked the attorney to use Gallatin County's ordinance as a starting point and coordinate with the sheriff's office on enforceability.

A participant who later spoke during public comment urged the commission to adopt enforceable language for county property, saying "we've always ... assumed that we don't allow camping on county property. However, that is not an ordinance. So this would give us the ability to ... truly enforce that." Commenters asked whether rights‑of‑way and easements would be included; commissioners and commenters agreed the language could be drafted to address road rights‑of‑way if the commission wants that scope.

Commissioner Wallace moved to direct the attorney to draft the ordinance covering county property and easements; the motion was seconded and carried on an oral aye vote.

The action directs staff to prepare draft ordinance language for future consideration; the commission did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting and will consider the attorney's draft in a subsequent session.