Thomasville council amends camping ordinance to allow brief, private-property camping; measure passes 5–2

The Thomasville City Council on Sept. 16 approved an amendment to the city’s camping ordinance permitting camping on private property for no longer than 48 hours in any 30-day period, provided the camper has the property owner’s permission and sanitary measures are in place. The motion passed 5–2.

Deputy City Manager Eddie Bowling told the council the amendment “comes to Council for a vote after several months of discussion,” and Police Chief Dustin Carter read the revised ordinance language allowing limited private-property camping with owner permission and proper sanitation.

Council Member Hunter Thrift moved to adopt the amendment; Council Member Doug Hunt seconded. The motion passed with Council Members JacQuez Johnson and Payton Williams casting the only dissenting votes. The council did not record detailed statements explaining the two No votes in the meeting minutes.

Supporters said the change provides a limited, regulated option intended to address camping-related public-safety and sanitation concerns while requiring property-owner consent. The amendment adds private-property rules to an ordinance that had previously focused on camping on public property.

The ordinance establishes a 48-hour cap per 30-day period for camping on private property and requires sanitary measures and the property owner’s permission; enforcement procedures and penalties were not detailed in the briefing minutes. Council members did not direct staff to return with immediate enforcement language during the meeting.

The amendment took effect after the council’s vote; council members and staff indicated the item followed months of internal discussion and review.