Public Camping and Public Conduct Ordinance
Summary
The city now has a new ordinance banning public camping and public urination/defecation, effective immediately via emergency clause. Earlier drafts were softened to avoid hurting Expo Center event traffic, and police no longer must verify shelter availability before citing.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
No direct cost stated; enforcement falls to Shawnee Police rather than private property owners.
Residents and businesses who had complained about public camping and sanitation issues downtown.
Unhoused individuals cited under the new ordinance, though shelter-verification requirements were removed.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of City Commissioners - Jul 20, 2026
The city now has a new ordinance banning public camping and public urination/defecation, effective immediately via emergency clause. Earlier drafts were softened to avoid hurting Expo Center event traffic, and police no longer must verify shelter availability before citing.
Board of City Commissioners - Jun 15, 2026
A rewritten ordinance covering camping, personal property and sleeping in vehicles was discussed but won't be voted on until July 20, after last year's US Supreme Court Grants Pass ruling. Commissioners can submit comments on the draft.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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