The Tacoma City Council voted to expand the city’s camping ban, KIRO 7 reported Wednesday.

Tacoma’s ban currently prohibits camping near schools, shelters, and daycares. It has now been extended to include a five-block buffer around parks, playgrounds, and libraries. Additionally, the ban expands to areas around permanent homelessness shelters.

Council passes previous Tacoma camping ban in 2022

The previous ban was passed in 2022 after Council member John Hines drafted the measure in response to a sharp increase in public health and safety concerns reported by community members regarding areas near Tacoma shelters.

Three years later, Hines asked to expand the city’s no-camping ordinance.

“I am a firm believer that we need to provide shelter and housing for people to end homelessness

See Full Page