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Aug 10, 2023

‘Unsafe Camping’ Ordinance Banning Homeless in Tents to Take Effect Sunday

A new ordinance that prohibits tent encampments in all public spaces throughout the city of San Diego if shelter beds are available will go into effect Sunday with enforcement beginning Monday,

A new ordinance that prohibits tent encampments in all public spaces throughout the city of San Diego if shelter beds are available will go into effect Sunday with enforcement beginning Monday, officials said.

The Unsafe Camping Ordinance also bans tent encampments at all times in certain sensitive areas — parks, canyons and near schools, transit stations and homeless shelters — regardless of shelter capacity.

City Council members voted 5-4 last month to give final approval on the measure, which was strongly favored by Mayor Todd Gloria and introduced by City Councilman Stephen Whitburn.

“As the Unsafe Camping Ordinance takes effect, I encourage unsheltered people to take advantage of our new safe sleeping site or available shelter beds,” Whitburn said Friday in a statement.

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“These options are much safer and healthier than living on sidewalks or in parks,” the councilmember said. “I also look forward to all San Diegans having safer and healthier neighborhoods where public areas are used for their intended purposes. Together, we can improve the quality of life in communities across San Diego.”

Some homeless advocates are concerned the ordinance will only push unhoused people into other neighborhoods or cities.

Councilwoman Marni Von Wilpert included an amendment that the ordinance not take effect until 30 days after the first safe sleeping lot opened, to allow non-law enforcement social workers to be the first contact with homeless people.

The city’s first Safe Sleeping program site in the Golden Hill neighborhood opened on June 29, offering legal camping for those experiencing homelessness.

The city’s Central Operations Yard has a capacity to hold 136 tents, each in a space measuring 13 feet by 13 feet. The number of people at the site may be larger than 136, as each tent can accommodate two people and clients may have a partner or caretaker, officials said.

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