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Lynden council repeals camping verification rule after U.S. Supreme Court decision
Summary
The City Council approved Ordinance 25-1706 on Jan. 6, 2025 to repeal LMC 12.40.070—removing the local requirement to verify shelter space—so the code aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court's Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling. The measure passed 6-0.
The Lynden City Council on Jan. 6 approved Ordinance 25-1706 to repeal Lynden Municipal Code section 12.40.070, a provision requiring verification of available shelter space before enforcing camping prohibitions. The ordinance was enacted to conform local code with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson.
City Attorney Bob Carmichael advised the council that the repeal is a legal update to align municipal code with the court ruling. Councilor Mark Wohlrab moved and Councilor Kyle Strengholt seconded approval; the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. The minutes record the council authorized the mayor's signature on the ordinance.
The change removes the local verification requirement but does not otherwise direct a new enforcement program or funding. The minutes do not record additional enforcement directions or follow-up tasks tied to this repeal. Any operational changes to enforcement procedures would be subject to future council action or administrative policy.
