The City Council will consider introducing an ordinance regulating camping on public property at a Special City Council meeting on July 10, 2023, at 7 p.m. The staff report and ordinance text are published on the City’s website.
Summary of Proposed Ordinance
The proposed ordinance keeps the existing rules on camping on public property in the City, but would add reasonable time, place, and manner conditions for camping by persons who have no alternative shelter available. Specifically, a camping area for one person would be limited to an area of 10 ft. by 10 ft. (100 sq. ft.). If two or more persons are occupying a camping area, the camping area may be expanded to up to 10 ft. by 20 ft. (200 sq. ft. total). Camp facilities, camp paraphernalia, and other personal property would need to be stored and kept within these defined limits. In addition, under the proposed ordinance, no camping area may be used, occupied, or located within 200 ft. of another camping area. Among properties where camping is absolutely prohibited, the following two restrictions would be added: i) no camping within 100 ft. of a playground, and ii) no camping within 10 ft. of public utility infrastructure.
Public Involvement in the discussion of this proposed ordinance
Public comment on the proposed regulations is always strongly encouraged. Options to comment in person, by email, by phone, and by Zoom are detailed on our website.
If the City Council chooses to move forward with this ordinance, a second review of this ordinance and vote by the City Council would take place at the City Council meeting on July 17, 2023 at 7 p.m., which will also feature similar opportunities to offer comments and/or feedback.
For questions, please contact Chris A. Hess, the Assistant Director of Community Development, Housing and Homelessness Programs, at 415-458-5017.