Tacoma expands camping ban to parks, playgrounds, libraries

The Tacoma City Council voted to expand the city’s camping ban, KIRO 7 reported Wednesday.

Council passes previous Tacoma camping ban in 2022

The previous ban was passed in 2022 after Council member John Hines drafted the measure in response to a sharp increase in public health and safety concerns reported by community members regarding areas near Tacoma shelters.

Three years later, Hines asked to expand the city’s no-camping ordinance.

“I am a firm believer that we need to provide shelter and housing for people to end homelessness,” Hines said, according to KIRO 7. “At the same time, we have to keep our public spaces open and accessible to the public.”

Hines cited a 7% decrease in service calls for homelessness-related complaints in 2025 compared to 2024.

Supporters stated the proposal is about public safety, while critics argue it criminalizes homelessness. Violating the no-camping ordinance results in 30 days in jail, a $250 fine, or both.

Under the new proposal, Hines added an option for violators to attend Therapeutic Court, where individuals can engage with services in exchange for having their charges dropped.

“It’s a policy that really focuses on making people move from one place to another and clean up whatever they leave behind, and there’s just not enough of a focus on solving the people’s situation,” Rob Huff, the community relations manager for the Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, told KIRO 7.

This story was originally published on October 8, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

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