Homeless camping ordinance approved through consent agenda at latest County Board meeting
Update: The Ordinance mentioned is available here: https://sanbernardino.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14598641&GUID=C73A25BA-6E13-434C-8F35-69555FF7EE8F
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance related to homeless encampments on public property, but if it wasn’t for the public comments period of the September 9th meeting you would be excused for missing it. That’s because it was part of the consent agenda – a regular part of municipal meetings where many smaller items are grouped into one for the board to approve all at once.
The County also issued a press release on the ordinance, which they say is about “humanely eliminating homeless camps and protecting individuals experiencing homelessness by transitioning them out of environments are they considered unsafe from both a public health and safety standpoint.”
The ordinance prohibits camping on county public property where individuals are exposed to dangers such as flooding, wildfire, extreme cold, extreme heat, rail collisions and traffic accidents.
Following the adoption of the ordinance, the County say they will prioritize flood channels and other areas that expose inhabitants to critical health and safety dangers and humanely relocate individuals while connecting them to housing and supportive services.
The ordinance aligns with an executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom in July 2024 encouraging local governments to adopt policies to address homeless encampments and take action to humanely remove encampments.
Third District Representative Dawn Rowe said via the press release “Passing this ordinance is an important step in our proactive approach to addressing homeless encampments. It also ensures that people experiencing homelessness have access to the appropriate supportive services.”
Vocal critics of the ordinance showed up at the September 9th meeting and said that the ordinance is overly punitive to the homeless population and its inclusion as a consent agenda item wasn’t giving the issue a true public discussion.
Desiree Sanchez lives in Wrightwood and says she’s been a San Bernardino County resident for a decade. She says she works for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU, which also takes exception with the ordinance.
“So now I need to come as a ACLU staff person and tell you the legalities that you’re gonna have to face regarding this. The ACLU of Southern California objects to your placement of the proposed camping ban ordinance. Agenda item 81 on the consent calendar… a section of the agenda reserved for non-controversial matters that are approved without public debate?
“Placing an item that has the potential to cause great harm on the consent calendar for two consecutive readings is not only unethical and unfair to your constituents, we urge the board to remove the item from the consent calendar and add it to the section of the agenda that calls for proper discussion, just like every agenda item that you you run.”
Over 30 people appeared during the public comment period although not all of those individuals spoke.
The ordinance was introduced at the August 19th 2025 meeting and was also part of the consent agenda. Once approved it is expected to add an entire chapter to the San Bernardino County Code, relating to camping on public property and obstruction of public rights of way.
We’ve reached out to the county to get the exact wording of the addition to the County Code.
Stay tuned to Z107.7 for reaction from unhoused residents and community leaders regarding the newly approved ordinance.
