CHEYENNE, Wyo. — An ordinance establishing an outdoor camping permit has been approved.
On Monday night, the Cheyenne City Council passed new regulations to amend language in Title 8, Health and Safety of the city municipal code. The purpose of the change is to allow outdoor camping for Girl Scouts and those visiting for Cheyenne Frontier Days. The amendments also alter the repercussions for those camping illegally.
The changes aim to lower consequences for those criminally prosecuted for camping in public spaces. In particular, the ordinance lessens punishment for those who may not have a residence or indoor facility to go to.
The municipal rule changes include the following:
- Current city code mentions Crow Creek as a hotspot for camping. The ordinance removes mention of Crow Creek and instead replaces it with “waterways of the city.”
- The ordinance implements a permitting process that would allow for legal camping.
- Although violating this portion of city code would still be tried as a misdemeanor, jail time is no longer a punishment for the crime. The maximum fine was also reduced from $750 to $50. The court will factor in whether a person attempted to engage with public or private resources when considering their sentence.
- If the city must collect personal property due to emergency abatement, then it now must return the belongings to their owner.
City staff have outlawed camping on public property because it is considered a health hazard, according to city code. Camping contributes to unsanitary conditions and littering and can cause damage to city water quality. Trash and other discarded objects can also heighten the city’s risk of fire outbreaks. Those camping may also utilize an unregulated fuel source, which also heightens risk of a fire outbreak.
A copy of the ordinance can be viewed below.
