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Council adopts citywide ban on unauthorized camping on public property; permits for organized events to be preserved
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting unauthorized habitation, camping and sleeping on public property. Staff said a narrow permitting exception will be added for permitted organized events (Boy Scouts, etc.). Council emphasized trespass enforcement on private property remains an option and discussed fire‑risk motivations.
Council adopted Ordinance 2026‑14, a citywide prohibition on unauthorized habitation, camping and sleeping on public property including parks, rights‑of‑way and underpasses. Staff said the measure responds to public‑safety and fire‑risk concerns and that the second reading will include clarifying language preserving permitting authority for organized, permitted events (for example, scout camps or sanctioned group events).
Councilors discussed enforcement tools for private property (trespass) and expressly sought clarity that permitted organized group camping would remain allowed under a clear permitting process. Staff said the municipal code will be updated with a minor permitting tweak on second reading to preserve legitimate permitted camping.
The ordinance passed unanimously. Staff will proceed to codify the narrow permitting exception and provide enforcement metrics when the ordinance is implemented.
Provenance: Presentation, discussion and vote, SEG 4767–SEG 4910.
