Spokane City Council to Consider New Camping and Obstruction Ordinance

The Spokane City Council is set to vote on the "Safe and Accessible Spaces" ordinance at 6 p. m. on October 27, 2025, during a legislative session. The ordinance, which was discussed in a Public Safety and Community Health Committee meeting, aims to empower Spokane Police officers to offer services to willing suspects or issue citations, with increasing penalties for repeat offenders. If passed, the new law will make camping and obstruction on all public property, including rights-of-way and entrances to private properties, illegal.

Council members suspended rules to include the measure on the agenda, indicating urgency in addressing public safety issues. Residents may provide testimony before the meeting by accessing the City Council Public Comment Sign-up Form. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to regulate public spaces amid rising concerns over homelessness and public safety. The legislative session will be accessible to the public through live streaming on Channel 5 and the Spokane City Council's Facebook page. Such measures may significantly impact local law enforcement practices and community responses to public safety challenges.