Update: Aug. 9, 2023
On Tuesday, Aug. 8, the Santa Rosa City Council approved a recommendation by the Housing and Community Services Department that Council introduce an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 11-22 of the Santa Rosa City Code (Camping on Public Streets and Public Property). The decision followed the first reading of the proposed ordinance and a public hearing at which community members offered input on the proposed ordinance. The purpose of updating the ordinance is to eliminate a blanket ban on camping on public property to align with Martin v. City of Boise, a 2019 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and to establish standards for camping on public or private property that protect the health and safety of the community. A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the Aug. 22 Council meeting; if approved, the ordinance will become effective 31 days later on Sept. 22.
Key Points
- The City is leading with compassion as it addresses the critical and complex concern of homelessness in Santa Rosa and will continue to actively offer alternative shelter and services for community members experiencing homelessness in coordination with Sonoma County's Continuum of Care.
- The City is committed to resolving homelessness in our community; and has invested approximately $5 million annually, including the operation of the Samuel Jones Hall Homeless Shelter – the largest emergency shelter in Sonoma County, and innovative programs such as the Safe Parking Program and the inRESPONSE mental health support team which is funded separately.
- The City’s current camping ordinance bans camping on public property; however, it cannot be enforced because it conflicts with the 2019 federal court ruling (Martin v. Boise) prohibiting cities from criminally enforcing camping restrictions if no alternative shelter is available for those facing enforcement.
- The proposed ordinance will align with the 2019 federal court ruling (Martin v. Boise) and, if alternative shelter is not available, establish rules for camping that protect the health and safety of the community.
- Under the proposed ordinance, camping in certain public areas would be prohibited, including City of Santa Rosa public parks, on streets and sidewalks, and within certain distances of building entrances, transit facilities, fire-suppression equipment, and schools.
- If alternative shelter is unavailable, the proposed ordinance would allow camping in areas other than those outlined above; however, it would prohibit activities that present an increased risk of fire, environmental issues, and health and safety hazards.
- The proposed ordinance will align with the City’s current practice for addressing encampments and with the 2019 federal court ruling (Martin v. Boise) and provide additional authority for the City to address issues within encampments.
Ordinance, Meeting Documents & Video Recording
Visit the City's Legistar Website to review the ordinance, as well as the Aug. 8 staff report and presentation to City Council. A recording of the Aug. 8 Council item (16.1) and public hearing is available HERE.
City's Response to Homelessness
Visit SRCity.org/HomelessSolutions for more information on the City's response to the critical concern of homelessness and to sign up for updates.
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Original Post: Aug. 2, 2023
On Tuesday, August 8, the Santa Rosa City Council will consider a recommendation by the Housing and Community Services Department that Council introduce an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 11-22 of the Santa Rosa City Code (Camping on Public Streets and Public Property). The purpose is to eliminate a blanket ban on camping on public property to align with Martin v. City of Boise, a 2019 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and to establish standards for camping on public or private property that protect the health and safety of the community.
Chapter 11-22 of the Santa Rosa City Code – Camping on Public Streets and Public Property (Camping Ordinance) was adopted by Council in 1994 and applies to camping on public and private property within the Santa Rosa city limits. The current Camping Ordinance prohibits camping on public property and conflicts with Martin v. City of Boise, which prohibits cities from criminally enforcing camping restrictions on public property if there is no alternative shelter available for those facing enforcement. The update to the Camping Ordinance will eliminate the City’s current blanket ban on camping on public property and establish camping standards that are protective of the public health and safety of all Santa Rosa residents.
Notice of Public Hearing
Tuesday August 8, 2023, at or after 5:00 p.m.
Meeting access information (including instructions) and meeting documents are available online on the City's Legistar Website.
Members of the public can participate in the meeting by attending in person from Council Chamber at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue or via Zoom Webinar with the credentials listed below:
Online Access: www.zoom.us/join - Meeting ID: 868 7677 9687
Phone Access: Dial: 877 853 5257 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 868 7677 9687
Comments and questions may be directed to Kelli Kuykendall, Housing and Community Services Manager, City of Santa Rosa, 90 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, telephone (707) 543-3300, or [email protected].