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File #: 25-1270    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 10/22/2025 In control: Board of Supervisors
On agenda: 11/4/2025 Final action: 11/4/2025
Title: Consider the Creation of an Ordinance for Banning Overnight Camping on Humboldt County Owned Properties
Sponsors: Michelle Bushnell
Attachments: 1. Staff Report

 

To:                                                               Board of Supervisors

 

From:                                          Supervisor Michelle Bushnell                                          

 

Agenda Section:                     Initiated by Board Member                     

 

Vote Requirement:                     Majority

 

SUBJECT:

title

Consider the Creation of an Ordinance for Banning Overnight Camping on Humboldt County Owned Properties

end

 

RECOMMENDATION(S):

Recommendation

That the Board of Supervisors:

1.                     Hear the report on the status of camping on county owned properties from Public Works Director Tom Mattson and Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal; and

2.                     Direct staff to initial a draft ordinance to return at future date; and

3.                     Take other action as needed.

 

Body

STRATEGIC PLAN:

This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.

 

Area of Focus:  Safe & Healthy Communities                     

Strategic Plan Category:  9999 - Core Services/Other

 

DISCUSSION:

Supervisor Bushnell has invited Humboldt County Public Works Director Tom Mattson and Sheriff William Honsal to speak about ongoing concerns related to camping on county-owned properties. These concerns include property damage, ongoing maintenance challenges and criminal activity.  Currently, there is no ordinance in place to ban camping on county-owned properties, which limits the county’s ability to respond effectively. Therefore, Supervisor Bushnell would like to discuss the possibility of developing an ordinance to help address these challenges.

 

SOURCE OF FUNDING: 

General Fund

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

There is minimal financial impact to this item.

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

There are minimal staffing issues with this consideration. If an ordinance is requested, additional staff time will be required to research and draft the ordinance.

 

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:

None

 

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:

Board Discretion

 

ATTACHMENTS:

None

 

PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:

Meeting of: N/A

File No.: N/A