San Diego Crackdown on Homeless Campfires
- San Diego County is moving closer to implementing a more comprehensive ban on homeless encampments, following a Supreme Court decision that grants local governments greater authority to remove...
- On Tuesday, in a unanimous and bipartisan decision, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to revise the county’s existing anti-camping law.
- Supervisor joel Anderson, who introduced the proposal, stated, "I’m open to suggestions about what more we can do for the homeless — but this isn’t about the homeless.This...
San Diego County Considers Stricter Rules on Homeless Encampments and Fires
Table of Contents
- San Diego County Considers Stricter Rules on Homeless Encampments and Fires
- San Diego County Homeless Encampment & Fire Ordinance: Q&A
San Diego County is moving closer to implementing a more comprehensive ban on homeless encampments, following a Supreme Court decision that grants local governments greater authority to remove tents from public land.
Proposed Crackdown on Campfires
On Tuesday, in a unanimous and bipartisan decision, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to revise the county’s existing anti-camping law. The proposed changes aim to crack down on fires within these encampments.However, the ordinance may allow encampments to remain during periods of low wildfire risk, provided that shelter beds are unavailable.
Supervisor joel Anderson, who introduced the proposal, stated, “I’m open to suggestions about what more we can do for the homeless — but this isn’t about the homeless.This is about whether you have a right to torch neighborhoods.”
The updated ordinance is expected to be drafted within the next two months, after which the board will conduct another vote to finalize the measure into law.
The Link Between Encampments and Fires
Recent local fires have been linked to individuals experiencing homelessness. Firefighters in the city of San Diego estimate that nearly 20% of all fires last year originated near homeless encampments.
however, itS important to acknowledge that campfires can provide warmth during cold nights, perhaps preventing hypothermia. During Tuesday’s hearing, many argued that the proposed ordinance would effectively criminalize poverty.
Existing Regulations on Camping
The county already has regulations in place regarding camping. An existing ordinance prohibits setting up tents in most parks or on sidewalks, with violations classified as a misdemeanor. additionally, sleeping in a vehicle parked on a public street for more than two hours is also prohibited.
However, these rules lack specific focus on the region’s growing homeless population. Moreover, enforcement has been limited due to a previous federal court ruling that required shelter beds to be available before an encampment could be cleared. This frequently enough resulted in tents being left undisturbed due to shelters frequently operating at full capacity.
Supreme Court Ruling Shifts the Landscape
the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention has altered the situation. Last summer, the justices ruled that local leaders have the authority to dismantle encampments regardless of shelter bed availability. This decision grants San Diego County greater latitude in removing individuals from sidewalks.
Despite this, Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery steppe, the board’s two Democrats, indicated that their support for expanded enforcement is contingent on providing shelter options. Montgomery Steppe stated she would reserve her final decision until the complete ordinance is available.
It’s worth noting that Montgomery Steppe previously voted against a camping ban in the city of San Diego during her tenure as a council member.
Details of the Proposed Ordinance
The proposed county ordinance would introduce new restrictions on carrying fire-starting materials, such as lighters. It would also prohibit the removal of vegetation in riverbeds or canyons. Individuals experiencing homelessness would generally recieve a three-day notice before an encampment is removed. any personal items seized during clean-up operations would be stored for 90 days.
Officials have stated that they already provide 72-hour warnings and store some seized belongings.
Broader Efforts to Address Homelessness
San Diego County is exploring additional strategies to address homelessness, including a plan to construct small sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove. A staff member indicated that this shelter project is expected to open sometime next year.
In recent years, several cities in the region have increased penalties for sleeping outdoors. For exmaple, Escondido expanded its existing camping ban last summer to specifically target homeless encampments.
San Diego’s Ban on homeless Camps
san Diego’s “Unsafe Camping Ordinance” bans encampments near schools, shelters and transit hubs, in parks, and even, if shelter beds are available, on all public sidewalks.While encampments are much less noticeable in some areas — such as downtown.
Encampment Cleanups
Cleanup can take around 10 to 30 minutes in places with frequent sweeps,such as downtown surface.
San Diego County Homeless Encampment & Fire Ordinance: Q&A
This article provides answers to common questions about San diego County’s proposed changes to regulations on homeless encampments and fires, focusing on the ordinance updates.
Key Questions About the Proposed Ordinance
Why is San Diego County considering stricter rules on homeless encampments and fires?
San Diego County is considering stricter rules due to:
A recent Supreme Court decision: This ruling grants local governments greater authority to remove homeless encampments from public land, irrespective of shelter availability.
Concerns about fire safety: There’s a documented link between homeless encampments and an increased risk of fires. Firefighters estimate that nearly 20% of all fires originated near homeless encampments last year.
What are the key proposed changes to San Diego County’s anti-camping laws?
The proposed changes aim to crack down on fires within homeless encampments. Key elements include:
Restrictions on fire-starting materials: The ordinance will likely introduce new restrictions on carrying items like lighters.
Prohibition of vegetation removal: Removing vegetation in riverbeds or canyons would be prohibited
Encampment Removal Notice: Individuals are expected to receive a three-day notice before encampments are removed.
Storage of Seized Belongings: Personal items seized during clean-up will be stored for 90 days.
Potential allowance during Low Fire Risk: the oridance my allow encampments to remain during periods of low wildfire risk, if shelters dont have room.
when will the updated ordinance be finalized?
The updated ordinance is expected to be drafted within the next two months (From March 11, 2025), after which the Board of Supervisors will conduct another vote to finalize it into law. Expect the final version around May 2025.
Understanding the Context & Regulations
What existing regulations on camping already exist in San Diego County?
San Diego County currently has regulations that:
Prohibit setting up tents in most parks or on sidewalks (misdemeanor).
Prohibit sleeping in a vehicle parked on a public street for more than two hours.
Though, these regulations haven’t been specifically focused on the growing homeless population, and enforcement has been limited due to previous court rulings regarding shelter bed availability.
How does the Supreme Court ruling effect San Diego County’s ability to regulate homeless encampments?
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling gives San Diego County greater latitude in removing individuals from sidewalks and other public spaces, regardless of shelter bed availability. This undoes a previous limitation where encampments could only be cleared if shelter beds were available.
What is San Diego’s city’s existing policy on homeless encampments?
san Diego City’s “Unsafe Camping Ordinance” bans encampments:
Near schools
Near shelters
Near transit hubs
In parks
On public sidewalks (if shelter beds are available)
Addressing Concerns and broader Efforts
How are San Diego County officials addressing concerns about criminalizing poverty?
Supervisors Terra lawson-Remer and Monica montgomery Steppe have stated that their support for expanded enforcement is contingent on providing adequate shelter options. The ordinance may allow encampments to remain during periods of low wildfire risk, provided that shelter beds are unavailable.
What other strategies is San Diego County exploring to address homelessness?
San Diego County is exploring various strategies, including:
Small sleeping cabins: A plan to construct small sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove is underway, with an expected opening sometime next year.
Increased penalties in other cities: Several cities in the region have increased penalties for sleeping outdoors, such as escondido’s expanded camping ban.
How long do encampment cleanups take?
Encampment cleanups can take around 10 to 30 minutes in locations with frequent sweeps, such as downtown surface streets.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Ordinance
| Provision | Description |
| ——————————- | ———————————————————————————————————————- |
| Restrictions on Fire Materials | Limits the carrying of fire-starting materials like lighters. |
| Vegetation Removal Prohibition | Bans the removal of vegetation in riverbeds and canyons. |
| Encampment Removal Notice | Requires a three-day notice before removing an encampment. |
| Storage of Seized Belongings | Stores personal items seized for 90 days. |
| Shelters and Low Fire Risk | The ordinance may allow encampments to remain during periods of low wildfire risk, if shelter isnt available. |