REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 19, 2025
FROM
CARRIE HARMON, Director, Community Development and Housing Department
SUBJECT
Title
Introduction of Ordinance Adding a Chapter to the San Bernardino County Code, Relating to Camping on Public Property and Obstruction of Public Rights of Way
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Consider proposed ordinance, adding Chapter 9 to the San Bernardino County Code, relating to camping on public property and obstruction of public rights of way.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to the proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of proposed ordinance.
• An ordinance of San Bernardino County, State of California, to add Chapter 9 to Division 8 of Title 2 of the San Bernardino County Code, relating to camping on public property and obstruction of public rights of way.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, on the Consent Calendar.
(Presenter: Carrie Harmon, Director, 382-3983)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost), as these updates to the San Bernardino County (County) Code are non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
With the County's passage of the $72 million Homeless Initiatives Spending Plan in March 2023 and the establishment of the Board of Supervisor's Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee, the County has taken substantive steps to address homelessness centered around the expansion of shelter beds and permanent supportive housing infrastructure. Specific investments include: 1) the establishment of the $40 million Housing Development Grant Fund; 2) investing $70 million in Pacific Village Campus Phase II, which upon completion will provide 58 units of permanent supportive housing, 32 recuperative care beds, and 16 substance abuse treatment beds; and 3) the acquisition of two motels that upon conversion will provide 50 units of permanent supportive housing for encampment residents and 130 beds of interim housing for homeless patients exiting care at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).
Building upon these capital investments, the County is taking unprecedented steps to reduce homelessness by implementing a coordinated, multi-agency response that prioritizes getting individuals off the streets and connected to housing and appropriate supportive services. Multidisciplinary teams have been deployed that conduct outreach in encampments, provide case management, behavioral health support, transportation, and assistance with obtaining identification and public benefits. These efforts are paired with the ongoing expansion of shelter capacity and permanent housing resources to ensure that enforcement actions are grounded in compassion and aimed at long-term stability. The ultimate goal is to transition people out of environments that may be unsafe from both a public health and safety standpoint, while also protecting the well-being of county residents as a whole.
The proposed ordinance addresses camping on County public property and County public rights of way and is specifically focused on mitigating public health and safety concerns. Adoption of the ordinance will be a critical first step in the County's proactive approach to encampment abatement, in alignment with Executive Order N-1-24 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 25, 2024.
Executive Order N-1-24 encourages local governments to adopt policies and to use all available resources and infrastructure, including resources provided by the State of California's historic investments in housing and intervention programs, to take action to humanely remove encampments from public spaces. The number of encampments on public property have increased across the county due to a rise in homelessness over previous years. These encampments pose significant public health and safety risks to residents, including those living within the encampments, and the environment. The impacts include increased fire hazards, accumulation of waste, and loss of life from exposure to the elements.
The proposed ordinance will facilitate the abatement of encampments that most threaten the life, health, and safety of those around them. To fully address the impact of these encampments, County departments are committed to supporting encampment residents as they transition into shelter and housing, thereby reducing homelessness and the likelihood of new encampments being established.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by the Office of Homeless Services (Marcus Dillard, Chief of Homeless Services, 501-0610) on June 9, 2025; Land Use Services (Marlene Ambriz, Assistant Director, 387-4072) on June 16, 2025; Public Works (Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906) on June 9, 2025; County Counsel (Daniel Pasek and Suzanne Bryant, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 17, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on July 17, 2025.