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Home My WebLink About26-2116 City Code 6-3-1 Public Camping/Sleeping CITY OF MERIDIAN ORDINANCE NO. 26-2116 BY THE CITY COUNCIL: CAVENER,LITTLE ROBERTS, OVERTON STRADER, TAYLOR,WHITLOCK AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION, MERIDIAN CITY CODE SECTION 6-3- 1, REGARDING PUBLIC CAMPING OR SLEEPING; AMENDING MERIDIAN CITY CODE SECTION 6-3-2(A)(2), REGARDING DISORDERLY CONDUCT; REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, during the 2025 legislative session, Senator Codi Galloway of the Idaho Legislature introduced Senate Bill ("S.B.") 1141, creating Idaho Code ("I.C.") § 67-2341, prohibiting, in part, any city with a population of 100,000 or more from knowingly authorizing, permitting, or enabling public camping or sleeping as defined therein; and WHEREAS,upon approval of S.B. 1141 by the Idaho Legislature, the Governor of Idaho signed the bill on April 1, 2025, which has an effective date of July 1, 2025; and WHEREAS, in accordance with S.B. 1141 and I.C. § 67-2341, the City of Meridian finds it in the best interest of the people of Meridian to adopt the definitions and prohibitions set forth in I.C. § 67-2341 and create an infraction penalty for violation of this code; NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,IDAHO: Section 1. That a new code section, Meridian City Code section 6-3-1 shall be added, to read as follows: 6-3-1.—Public camping or sleeping: A. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following words and phrases, and derivations thereof, shall be defined as follows: 1. Commercial vehicles shall be defined as set forth in Idaho Code section 49-123(2)(d), 2. Motor vehicle shall be defined as set forth in Idaho Code section 49-123(2). 3. Publicly camping or sleeping means lodging or residing in a temporary outdoor habitation used as a dwelling, lodging, or living space, which includes sitting, lying, or sleeping for a prolonged amount of time, and may be evidenced by the erection of a tent or other temporary shelter, including a motor vehicle or a recreational vehicle, and may include but is not limited to the presence of bedding,pillows, cooking appliances, heat sources, the storage of personal belongings or food, or digging or earth breaking. 4. Recreational vehicle shall be defined as set forth in Idaho Code section 49-119(6). ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PUBLIC CAMPING OR SLEEPING PAGE I B. Public camping or sleeping prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to publicly camp or sleep on any public property,public building grounds, or public right-of-way. C. Exceptions. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the following: 1. Use of a sidewalk or roadway in accordance with written authorization from the City or roadway authority. 2. Camping for recreational or educational purposes on property designated by the City for such purposes. 3. Authorized temporary events or activities that are conducted in compliance with Meridian City Code and any other applicable laws and policies. 4. Drivers of commercial vehicles resting or sleeping in such vehicles, so long as such vehicles are parked in compliance with Meridian City Code and any other applicable laws and regulations. D. Penalty. A violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction,punishable by a fine of$100. In addition to such penalty, any person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to any and all other applicable administrative, criminal, and/or civil penalties. Each day upon which a violation of this section continues or occurs may be deemed a separate and distinct violation. Section 2. That Meridian City Code 6-3-2(A)(2) shall be amended as follows: 2. Occupying, lodging or sleeping in any building, structure,or place, whether public or private; or-any automobile, tmek, railroad other- similar-vehieles or-equipment without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession or in control thereof. Section 3. That all City of Meridian ordinances, or resolutions, or parts thereof, which are in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed. Section 4. That this ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication. PASSED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 3rd day of March, 2026 APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 3rd day of March, 2026. APPROVED: ATTEST: Robert E. Simison, Mayor Chris Johnson, City Clerk ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PUBLIC CAMPING OR SLEEPING PAGE 2 CERTIFICATION OF SUMMARY: William L.M.Nary, City Attorney of the City of Meridian, Idaho, hereby certifies that the summary below is true and compleite and upon its publication will provide adequate notice to the public. William L. M.Nary, City Attorney SUMMARY OF CITY OF MERIDIAN ORDINANCE NO. 26 -2116 An ordinance adding Meridian City Code Section 6-3-1, regarding public camping or sleeping; amending Meridian City Code section 6-3-2(A)(2), regarding disorderly conduct; repealing any conflicting ordinances; and providing an effective date. ADVERTISING PROOF PRESS �p MERIDIAN PRH55 c/o ISj Payment Processing Center Local News Worth Holding mom. �'; Emmett PO Box 1570, BO1SEWEEKLY® Messenger Pocatello,ID 83204 /ndex Ph. (541) 331-6473 Fax: (907)452-5054 BILLING DATE: ACCOUNT NO: LEGAL NOTICE 03/06/26 21410 SUMMARY OF CITY OF MERIDIAN ORDINANCE NO.26-2116 An ordinance adding Merid- MERIDIAN, CITY OF ian City Code Section 6-3-1, 33 E. BROADWAYAVENUE regarding public camping or MERIDIAN, ID 83642 sleeping; amending Meridian City Code section 6-3-2(A) (2), regarding disorderly con- duct; repealing any conflict- ing ordinances; and providing an effective date.A full text of this ordinance is available for AD# DESCRIPTION START STOP TIMES AMOUNT inspection at City Hall, City of Meridian, 33 East Broadway 723712 ORD 26-2116 03/10/26 03/10/26 2 $27.76 Avenue, Meridian, Idaho.This ordinance shall be effective as of the date of publication of this summary. March 10,2026 723712 Payments: Date Method Card Type Last 4 Digits Check Amount Discount: $0.00 Gross:$27.76 Surcharge: $0.00 Paid Amount:$0.00 Credits: $0.00 Amount Due:$27.76 We Appreciate Your Business! AD#723712