SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane City Council plans to introduce a new unauthorized camping ordinance at Monday’s Public Safety and Community Health Committee Meeting.
This ordinance, called “Safe and Accessible Spaces,” would make camping and obstruction of public property illegal as well as give the Spokane Police Department officers the ability to cite unlawful camping violators and/or offer services to those willing to accept them. There would also be increased penalties for people who continuously are in violation of this ordinance.
The city says the ordinance emphasizes protecting waterways and publicly owned trees, preventing illegal fires and enforcing misuse of transit facilities and stops.
“We all want to see an end to public camping”, said Council Member Zack Zappone. “The Mayor introduced some of these ideas, and Council has been workshopping them. We want to get to a place to offer services to our most vulnerable while enforcing the law against those who refuse help. We need a balanced approach to address these issues. This will give more clarity to officers about our intent and the tools available to them.”
“What we are seeing on the streets is unacceptable,” said Council Member Michael Cathcart. “I’m grateful that my council colleagues are embracing a number of the recommendations that I and others have advocated for. This approach reflects a shared commitment to accountability, ensuring that while we connect people who want help to available services, we also provide the tools to uphold basic and consistent standards of safety and respect for everyone in our community.”
Members of the public can view the ordinance and sign up to testify at the committee meeting by clicking here.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
