The words and phrases used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, shall have the following meanings:
“Campsite”
means any place where bedding, sleeping bag, or other material used for bedding purposes, or any stove or fire is placed, established, or maintained for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live, whether or not such place incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any other structure, or any vehicle or part thereof.
“To camp”
means to set up or to remain in or at a campsite.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)
A. 
No person may sleep on public sidewalks, streets, or alleyways at any time as a matter of individual and public safety.
B. 
No person may sleep in any pedestrian or vehicular entrance to public or private property abutting a public sidewalk.
C. 
No person may sleep in any public restroom.
D. 
In addition to any other remedy provided by law, any person found in violation of this section may be immediately removed from the premises.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)
No person may occupy a campsite in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, public right-of-way, park, bench, or any other publicly owned property or under any bridge, unless (A) otherwise specifically authorized by this code, (B) by a formal declaration of the mayor in emergency circumstances, or (C) an exemption is granted by the mayor or their designee. The mayor may exempt a special event from the prohibitions of this section if the mayor finds such exemption to be in the public interest and consistent with city goals and notices and in accordance with conditions imposed by the city superintendent. Any conditions imposed will include, at the city superintendent’s discretion, a requirement that the applicant provide evidence of adequate insurance coverage and agree to indemnify the city for any liability, damage, or expense incurred by the city as a result of activities of the applicant. Any exemption granted by the mayor shall specify the exact dates and location covered by the exemption.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)
Upon discovery of a campsite or storage of personal property on public property, removal by the Garfield County sheriff’s office may occur under the following circumstances:
A. 
Prior to removing the campsite or personal property, the city shall post a notice twenty-four hours in advance.
B. 
At the time a twenty-four-hour notice is posted, the city shall inform a local agency (delivering social services to homeless individuals) of the location of the campsite.
C. 
After the twenty-four-hour notice period has passed, the Garfield County sheriff’s office is authorized to remove the campsite and all personal property related thereto.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)
For purposes of this chapter, “personal property” means any item reasonably recognizable as belonging to a person and having apparent utility or monetary value. Items having no apparent utility or monetary value and items in an unsanitary condition may be immediately discarded. Weapons, drug paraphernalia, items appearing to be stolen, and evidence of a crime may be retained as evidence by the sheriff’s office until an alternate disposition is determined. All personal property removed from the campsite which is not retained, disposed of, or held as evidence (as provided above) shall be stored by the sheriff’s office for a minimum of thirty days, during which time it shall be reasonably available for and released to an individual confirming ownership.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)
Upon conviction for a violation of this chapter, in addition to any other factors deemed appropriate by the court, the court shall consider in mitigation whether or not the person immediately removed all personal property and litter, including but not limited to bottles, cans, and garbage, from the campsite after being informed it was in violation of the law.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)
Any person found to be in violation of the terms of this chapter may be cited for a civil infraction and may be barred from city parks and facilities for a period of thirty days.
(Ord. 954 § 1, 2025)