Santa Rosa may amend its ordinance that bans camping in public spaces to put the city’s policies in compliance with federal law. The City Council will consider making adjustments during Tuesday’s meeting. The federal law follows Martin v. City of Boise, a U.S. Court of Appeals decision in 2019. The decision ruled that cities can’t ban homeless people from occupying public spaces if no other options are available to them. Options would include shelters and housing. Santa Rosa has had an ordinance outlawing camping on public property since 1994. It was last amended in 2013, to allow people to live in vehicles.
Santa Rosa Considers Changing Camping Ordinance
