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Council holds first reading of ordinance targeting unauthorized camping on public property
Summary
During a first reading, the council reviewed Ordinance C-1095 to create a new chapter prohibiting unauthorized camping on public property, including definitions, removal procedures and penalties; staff will return with clarifications about insurance wording in two sections.
The Airway Heights City Council conducted the first reading of Ordinance C-1095, which would create a new municipal-code chapter (8.09) addressing unauthorized camping on public property.
Police Chief Brad Richmond summarized the proposed ordinance: it defines "camping" and "camping materials," prohibits sleeping on sidewalks, streets, alleys and doorways, sets procedures for removing occupied and unoccupied campsites, outlines processes for handling personal property and cleanups, and identifies penalties that would route certain cases through the city’s community court and therapeutic courts with an intent to assist people into transitional housing when possible.
Councilmember Campbell questioned the insurance‑requirement language in two sections (8.09.0.040 and 8.09.0.030 in the draft), asking whether the code allows any authority to waive insurance for certain non‑nuisance events (for example a nonprofit or scouting group) or whether the wording is duplicative. Staff said the item is a first reading and agreed to confer with the chief and provide a clarified reading at the next study session or the next legislative session in July.
Because this was a first reading, no council action was taken; staff will return with clarified language and any recommended edits before a second reading and potential adoption.
