Chapter 9.32
UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING
Sections:
9.32.020 UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING IN PUBLIC PLACES.
9.32.030 UNAUTHORIZED STORAGE IN PUBLIC PLACES.
9.32.050 PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS.
9.32.060 RULES AND REGULATIONS.
9.32.010 DEFINITIONS.
The following definitions are applicable in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Available overnight shelter" means a public or private shelter, transitional housing, or outdoor encampment operated by or permitted by the City, located within the City of Bremerton, that offers overnight shelter or camping space to persons experiencing homelessness and shelter staff confirms to a City employee that it has an available overnight space at no cost for that person; or if no such available overnight shelter is available within the City of Bremerton, public or private shelter, transitional housing, or an outdoor encampment operated or permitted by a public entity within Kitsap County provided shelter staff confirms to a City employee that it has an available overnight space at no cost for that person and that it is accessible to the person by public transportation or vehicle for hire at no cost for that person.
If an individual or family unit cannot use an available accommodation because of the individual or family member’s sex, familial or marital status, religious beliefs, disability, or length-of-stay restrictions, the accommodation is not considered available. If the person is unable to utilize an available overnight shelter due to voluntary actions such as intoxication, drug use, assaultive behavior, or violation of shelter rules, the overnight shelter space shall still be considered available for the purposes of this section.
(b) "Camp" means (1) to dwell, reside within or use camping facilities for temporary or permanent habitation or housing; and/or (2) to use camping paraphernalia.
(c) "Camping facilities" include, but are not limited to, recreational vehicles, motor vehicles, trailers, tents, huts, or temporary shelters.
(d) "Camping paraphernalia" includes, but is not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks, or non-City-designated cooking facilities and similar equipment.
(e) "Director" means any Director of a City of Bremerton department having authority over a public place or any other person authorized by the Mayor to exercise such authority or their designee.
(f) "Park" means and includes all City parks, public squares, park drives, parkways, boulevards, golf courses, park museums, zoos, bathing beaches, and play and recreation grounds under the jurisdiction of the City of Bremerton Parks and Recreation Department.
(g) "Public place" means and includes streets, ways, boulevards, sidewalks, planting or parking strips, shoulders, squares, triangles, rights-of-way, publicly owned parking lots or publicly owned areas, improved or unimproved, and other public places appropriated to the public for public use, including buildings, structures and appurtenances situated thereon.
(h) "Recreational vehicle" means a travel trailer, motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer that is primarily designed and used as temporary living quarters, is either self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, is transient and is not immobilized or permanently affixed to a mobile home lot.
(i) "Store" means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in a location.
(j) "Street" means any highway, avenue, lane, road, street, drive, place, boulevard, alley, right-of-way, and every way or place in the City of Bremerton open as a matter of right to public vehicular travel. (Ord. 5482 §1, 2023; Ord. 4898 §1, 2004)
9.32.020 UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING IN PUBLIC PLACES.
Except as permitted by permit pursuant to BMC 9.32.040 or as otherwise provided by City Code or ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to camp in any park or other public place. This prohibition does not include the use of camping paraphernalia and camping facilities consistent with park rules established by the Parks Director at times parks are open to the public pursuant to BMC 13.04.150. The authority to arrest and file charges for a violation of this section shall be suspended when there is no available overnight shelter for the individual camping. (Ord. 5482 §1, 2023; Ord. 4898 §1, 2004)
9.32.030 UNAUTHORIZED STORAGE IN PUBLIC PLACES.
Except as permitted by permit pursuant to BMC 9.32.040, Chapter 10.10 BMC, or as otherwise provided by City Code or ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to store, pitch or park camping facilities or to store or pitch camping paraphernalia in any park or other public place. This prohibition does not include the use of camping paraphernalia and camping facilities consistent with park rules established by the Parks Director at times parks are open to the public pursuant to BMC 13.04.150. Enforcement of BMC 9.32.030 is suspended when overnight shelter is not available to the individual camping. (Ord. 5482 §1, 2023; Ord. 4898 §1, 2004)
9.32.040 PERMIT.
(a) The Director is authorized, by permit, to allow persons to camp, occupy camping facilities, or use or store camping paraphernalia within or on any park or other public place that may be designated by the City for such use in the City of Bremerton subject to other applicable codes or ordinances.
(b) The Director may approve a permit as provided under this section if the Director determines that:
(1) Adequate trash receptacles, trash collection and sanitary facilities are available;
(2) The camping activity will not unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort, and repose of property owners in the area; and
(3) The camping activity is not reasonably likely to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance.
(c) The Director may place terms and conditions on any permit as the Director finds appropriate for the conditions considering the use and impacts of such use. (Ord. 5482 §1, 2023; Ord. 4898 §1, 2004)
9.32.050 PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS.
(a) Misdemeanor. A violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor pursuant to BMC 1.12.020(2). (Ord. 5482 §1, 2023; Ord. 4898 §1, 2004)
9.32.060 RULES AND REGULATIONS.
The Director may promulgate rules and regulations the Director deems necessary and appropriate to implement, administer and enforce this chapter. (Ord. 5482 §1, 2023; Ord. 4898 §1, 2004)