The Tukwila City Council passed camping news this week with a 4-3 vote, adopting an ordinance that makes camping on city property a misdemeanor. The change takes effect in five days and allows penalties of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Tukwila City Council Vote
The ordinance prohibits camping on city-owned property, including parks, rights-of-way, sidewalks and other public spaces, unless specifically authorized. It was brought forward by Interim Police Chief Eric Lund, who said the Tukwila Police Department would keep offering resources before enforcement.
On July 13, Lund told council members, "In the past year, there has only been one encampment where the person refused to leave." He also said, "Most of the encampments on public property in Tukwila involve people who are battling addiction and/or are in mental crisis, or both."
Eric Lund And Enforcement
Lund estimated Tukwila currently has between five and 10 encampments based on recent patrols along the Interurban Trail and city parks. He said the ordinance is aimed at situations where someone refuses available assistance and stays on public property.
City leaders said the ordinance is not intended to criminalize homelessness, but it gives police a legal tool when services have been offered and someone still refuses to leave. The ordinance also cites the 2024 Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson and says municipalities may enforce reasonable, content-neutral public camping regulations regardless of shelter availability.
City Of Grants Pass v. Johnson
City documents say the goal is to address public safety, accessibility and the use of public spaces. For people camping on city property, the practical change is immediate once the five-day window closes: refusal to leave can now carry misdemeanor exposure instead of only outreach.
