RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova City Council unanimously approved a new camping ordinance on Sept. 16, aimed at updating the city’s approach to managing illegal camping in public spaces.

The proposed ordinance updates Rancho Cordova’s Municipal Code to align with the recent Supreme Court decision in Johnson v. City of Grants Pass. This decision clarified that cities can enforce camping restrictions as long as they target the act of camping and not penalize individuals for their homelessness.

The new ordinance will focus on regulating the act of camping and the storage of personal property in public spaces, aiming to improve safety and cleanliness while avoiding unconstitutional penalties. This approach supports the city’s ongoing efforts to manage public spaces effectively and addresses health hazards, unsanitary conditions, and fire risks associated with illegal camping.

The council’s decision comes as Rancho Cordova grapples with homelessness. While the city has seen a decrease in its homeless population and has successfully managed several large encampments, illegal camping remains a persistent issue within Sacramento, according to Neighborhood Services manager Russell Ducharme.

Rancho Cordova prides itself on integrating services, education, and enforcement to address homelessness effectively, according to Police Chief Matt Tamayo. Under the new ordinance, enforcement officers will first inform homeless individuals about camping restrictions and give them a chance to comply before taking any enforcement action, ensuring a compassionate and fair approach.

City attorney Adam Lindgren emphasized the importance of the new ordinance.

“I think that it will give a valuable tool to allow code and police to keep the right of way and paths and other public places that our residents use and enjoy, clean and free of unhoused people,” Lindgren said.

Public comments during the meeting reflected concerns about the potential impacts of the new ordinance.

“My concern is that I see people camping out on the sidewalks that the city has spent so much money to put in. It makes it uncomfortable for the residents to use those sidewalks,” said resident Helen Bashaw. “I am concerned about what they might be leaving behind.”

Lincoln Village resident Jim Garcia questioned whether the ordinance would affect the city's ability to respond to other code enforcement issues.

“After all the hard work that the Economic Development Team, the Chamber of Commerce and others have done to promote jobs and accentuate the benefits of living in Rancho Cordova and all of the efforts that our residents do to assist in the City’s Beautification Program, are you now going to permit camping within our residential areas?” said Garcia. “I’m not convinced that the ordinance will not significantly impact Code Enforcement’s ability to respond to other calls.”

Mayor David M. Sander, Ph. D. addressed these concerns, stating, “I think there might be a little confusion. In general, this ordinance update allows us to address the concerns raised by the community.”

Council member Donald Terry highlighted the enhanced tools available for enforcement, saying, “Now we have more tools than we did before.”