Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27, 2025, the City of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, Sparks along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within City limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.
This ordinance comes after concerted efforts by the City and others to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with available resources in the community. Beginning in February 2023, the City Fire Department teamed up the Boulder City Hospital Community Liaison to conduct weekly outreach efforts. Over the past two years, they have made over 150 contacts, and over 80 referrals for assistance. Additionally, the Boulder City Police Department has a resource referral list they provide to individuals they encounter, and staff from the City Manager’s Office created postcards, business cards as well as a webpage at www.bcnv.org/help with information on where to obtain basic needs (shelter, food, etc.).
This ordinance does not criminalize homelessness, but it does provide the City with the necessary tools to keep our public spaces clean and accessible while continuing to direct the unhoused toward resources. Public places should be able to be enjoyed by all. The new regulations will make it illegal to camp in any public right-of-way, on trails, in public parks or park facilities, or in any public building. Bus stops, benches, gazeboes, playground equipment, and any publicly owned land or parking lots will also be off-limits. Camping is defined as “[t]he erecting of a tent or other shelter of natural of synthetic material, using a sleeping bag or other bedding, parking of a motor vehicle, home or trailer, for temporary occupancy.”…