Camping Information

To ensure the safety and well-being of community members, City Council has adopted a code that regulates the time, place, and manner in which people can camp in City rights-of-way.

To report camping in the right-of-way:

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Being houseless is not a crime. Police can address criminal acts and will do so when necessary. However, cities cannot impose sanctions on a person just for engaging in unavoidable human behavior, such as sleeping or resting outside on public property when they have no other place to live and there is not shelter space available for that person. Cities do not have to allow sleeping anywhere at any time or in any manner.

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Camping may occur if…

  • The camp is no larger than 12 feet x 12 feet and is moved at least one block or 600 feet every 24 hours.
  • There are not more than three sites established in one location and the group is at least 150 feet from any other campsite.
  • Campsites and groups do not violate any other time, place, and manner regulations as described in the Camping Code or the Camping Code Quick Reference.

Camping is prohibited…

  • Within 1,000 feet of any permitted shelter.
  • In Waterway Overlay or residential zones.
  • In City buildings, parking garages, parking lots, or on City property where property is used for utility facilities.
  • In City rights-of-way where the City Manager determines it is unsafe.
  • If at least a six-foot passageway for pedestrians cannot be maintained on the sidewalk.
  • The campsite blocks a driveway or access to any building.

If time restrictions are violated…

The City will post a 72-hour notice of removal if a camp has been in place for 24 hours or longer. If the site has not been moved within 72 hours, the City, with some limited exceptions, will remove the camp.

After removal, the City may close an area to camping for up to 14 days for environmental restoration or remediation of contamination by hazardous materials or other dangers to human life or safety.

If place and/or manner restrictions are violated…

The City will first attempt to achieve compliance by providing referrals to services, telling the individual(s) what the violation is, and giving an opportunity to fix the violation, except in cases of emergencies or criminal activities.

For a campsite that has been in place for 24-hours or more, the City may issue a 72-hour notice of removal, except in cases of criminal activities or emergencies where a 72-hour notice is not required. The City may also issue a notice of removal of personal property that is in violation of the code. The code also allows for citations for noncompliance.

Camping or sleeping in a vehicle may occur if…

  • Vehicles are legally parked.
  • No tents or structures, aside from tents designed to be operated attached to a vehicle, are added to the vehicle.
  • No other regulations, as described in the Camping Code or the Camping Code Quick Reference are violated.

Camping is prohibited…

If time, place, and/or manner restrictions are violated….

The City will first attempt to achieve compliance by providing referrals to services, telling the individual(s) what the violation is, and giving an opportunity to fix the violation, except in cases of emergencies or criminal activities.

Violations may result in City clean-up of the area around a vehicle used for camping or sleeping, or a citation for violation.

Areas with established parking districts will follow the already established enforcement process as defined for the district.

If the City tows and impounds a vehicle, the City will follow all required process and notice prior to acting, including providing a notice that the vehicle is parked in violation of City code, and providing at least three days for the vehicle to be moved before it is identified for towing and impoundment. Impoundment will generally not occur if a vehicle is being used as a person’s only shelter.

All personal property will be made available for pick up to a person claiming ownership.