New code chapter makes it illegal to camp on county-owned property
information released
The Board of County Commissioners has passed a new code section that makes it illegal to camp on county-owned property.
The new code section, passed on Tuesday, is in response to homeless encampments that are becoming an increasing concern in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County. The new code section applies to county parks, county buildings, county rights-of-way and roadways, county parking lots, and other county-owned land in the unincorporated areas.
Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay said the code section, when combined with a policy that addresses, in part, the needs of the people found illegally camping on county property, is a tool to protect county property while also reaching out to people in homeless encampments.
“We heard a variety of comments at our public hearing on this new code, which, when enforced using the policies and procedures we are working on now, will address all concerns,” Overbay said. “We are working to strike a balance between protecting taxpayer-owned assets and getting people the help they need.”
