Proposed anti-camping ordinance aims to move homeless residents in Placer County

Placer County’s homeless issues don’t get as much of a spotlight as other areas in the region or state, but it plans to address one — encampment on public properties — at its Board of Supervisors meeting.

The five-member board will vote Tuesday on an ordinance that will limit camping on county property and in fire-prone areas.

The county estimates about 600 unhoused residents live in the county and nearly 100 have set up camp in front of the government building in Auburn. The ordinance would allow county and law enforcement officials to force the encampment to move so construction crews can break ground on a new health and human services building in March.

“The intent of this ordinance is to mitigate the unsafe, unsanitary and sometimes disorderly condition for everyone, not just the campers,” said Bekki Riggan of the county executive office in a meeting Jan. 11.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities, use camp paraphernalia, or use public utilities on any County Public Property or Very High Fire Severity Zone area in the unincorporated area of the county,” the ordinance reads.

Campers are exempt from the ordinance in the event they’re “camping by necessity,” meaning there is not enough shelter space, necessitating they camp outside.

If a homeless person sets up camp by necessity, the ordinance would permit them to camp on county property between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The ordinance may not be enforced “during rainfall, sleet, snow, or other adverse weather conditions,” according to meeting documents.

The new rule would add to existing county ordinances that already regulate littering, public urination and defecation, open fires on public areas, overnight parking, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and unrestrained animals

This story was originally published January 24, 2022 at 10:10 AM.