Spokane City Council to Consider New Camping and Obstruction Ordinance

The Spokane City Council will vote on the "Safe and Accessible Spaces" ordinance at 6 p. m. on October 27, 2025, after previously discussing it in the Public Safety and Community Health Committee meeting. This ordinance aims to criminalize camping and obstruction on all public properties, including rights-of-way and private property entrances. It provides officers of the Spokane Police Department the authority to enforce the law with discretion, offering services to those willing to accept help or citing repeat offenders.

The Council's decision to suspend rules to bring the ordinance to the agenda reflects its urgency. Residents interested in providing testimony can access the City Council Public Comment Sign-up Form webpage. The legislative session will be available for viewing on Channel 5, CityCable5 online, and the Spokane City Council Facebook page. This legislation seeks to address community concerns regarding safety and public space use. The potential impact on local law enforcement practices and community health initiatives will be closely monitored.