City of Tucson bans camping in washes and watercourses

UPDATE 11:00 PM

The City of Tucson voted 5-1 to make it a misdemeanor to camp in city washes and watercourses.

The council also voted to amend the definition of "camping" and "campsites" to be consistent with the a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that defined "campsite" as "where bedding, sleeping bags, tents, shade structures, boxes, or other material is used for bedding purposes, or where any stove or fire is placed for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live."

Violators of the wash camping ordinance could face anything from community service and a $250 fine to up to ten days in jail. City communications say that enforcement is subject to the city's financial and personnel resources.

Ward 3 councilmember Kevin Dahl was the lone opposing vote. Ward 1 councilmember Lane Santa Cruz was not present for the vote.

After the vote, the small crowd that stayed until the end of the meeting called out to councilmembers, saying this decision was dangerous to Tucson's unhoused neighbors. Many said they either worked with homeless services and mutual aid groups or had experienced homelessness themselves.

One person was removed from the meeting.

ORIGINAL STORY

At the meeting on Tuesday, June 17 the City of Tucson Mayor and City Council will consider an ordinance on the subject of camping in washes and parks. Earlier this year, the mayor and council voted on an ordinance that did not pass, ending in a 3-3 vote.

The agenda item considers banning camping in washes. Proponents of such a ban say encampments threaten the public safety of people and first responders who need to go into the washes in order to conduct rescues during flooding. They also say that camping leads to fires and damages public welfare.

These ordinances come on the heels of an appellate court siding with neighbors after they sued the City of Tucson over concerns about homeless camping in washes.

Council Member Paul Cunningham requested that these ordinances be reconsidered, according to a Ward 6 newsletter from Councilmember Karen Uhlich.

Additionally, during today's study session, the Mayor and City Council will receive an update from the County Health Department on the Opioid Settlement Committee’s plan for how to address the fentanyl crisis. They will also be updated on how law enforcement and the court are tackling this issue.