Washington Dems propose bill to prevent cities from enforcing public camping laws

Washington State Democratic lawmakers have advanced a bill that would significantly limit when cities and counties can enforce laws regulating homeless camping on public property, drawing criticism from local officials who argue it would weaken local authority and worsen conditions in downtown areas.

House Bill 2489 would prohibit local governments from enforcing ordinances against camping, sleeping, or similar activities on public land unless they can demonstrate that “adequate alternative shelter space” is available. Critics argue that the bill shifts decision-making power away from cities and counties and replaces local judgment with rigid state mandates.

Under HB 2489, enforcement actions in parks, sidewalks, and business districts would be restricted unless local governments meet state-defined shelter availability requirements. Opponents argue that those requirements are difficult to satisfy in practice, effectively preventing enforcement even in areas facing acute public safety and sanitation concerns.

Local leaders say they have relied on a combination of shelter expansion and targeted enforcement to manage encampments while encouraging people to move into services. They argue HB 2489 would remove a key tool used by law enforcement and outreach teams to connect unsheltered individuals with housing and treatment options.

The bill’s critics also warn that a statewide, one-size-fits-all policy fails to account for differences between urban and rural communities. While large cities face dense encampments in downtown cores, rural counties often lack shelter capacity altogether, raising concerns that the legislation could lead to inconsistent or ineffective outcomes across the state.

Business groups and downtown advocates say the measure could accelerate the spread of encampments in high-traffic areas if cities are unable to intervene. They point to experiences in cities following recent court rulings limiting enforcement, where reduced authority coincided with larger encampments, blocked sidewalks, and increased fire and safety hazards.

In Seattle, where downtown districts are still recovering from pandemic-era losses, business owners have reported ongoing concerns about customer safety, sanitation, and accessibility near encampments. Similar complaints have emerged in other cities, with parks, school-adjacent areas, and commercial corridors cited as areas of concern.

In 2024, Burien had to sue the King County Sheriff to enforce a camping ban after the county executive refused to allow deputies to do so.

Public health officials and neighborhood groups have also raised alarms about waste accumulation, disease risks, and disruptions to schools and public spaces when encampments remain in place for extended periods.

Opponents of HB 2489 argue that restricting local enforcement authority does little to address those underlying issues. They say the bill prioritizes state oversight over practical, community-level responses and could expand bureaucracy without delivering measurable improvements.