Bozeman starts relocating urban campers in wake of new law

BOZEMAN — On a recent Wednesday morning in north Bozeman, the sound of hauling equipment and tow trucks filled the air as city officials and police moved to close a popular urban camping area.

Between the lines of trailers and cars parked down side streets were consolidated piles of trash and signs informing people of the “clean up day.” Other signs noted the impending closure of the three streets to camping. Kimberwickle Street, Blondie Street and Veronica Way — north of Winco and nearby apartment complexes and Chief Joseph Middle School — are currently occupied by about 30 campers.

The Bozeman City Commission passed Ordinance 2172 on Oct. 22, which requires people to obtain $25 monthly permits for urban camping starting next Friday, Nov. 22. The city can deny permits, criminally enforce violations and close “high-conflict areas” to camping. Next October, camping in the public right-of-way will be banned in Bozeman entirely.

“We’ve had too many conflicts between these campers and these neighbors,” Interim City Manager Chuck Winn told Montana Free Press Wednesday. “We’re trying to address the behaviors that are causing conflicts, that are damaging our environment and creating quality-of-life issues for the community.” 

The changes come as towns across the U.S. struggle with affordability, a surging influx of new residents and people experiencing homelessness. According to HRDC and city reports, in 2019, Bozeman counted just under 100 unhoused residents, a number that ballooned to over 260 in 2023 as the average cost of rent surged some 20%. The Warming Center also reported a 77% increase in visitors during that time. 

Once the ordinance takes effect, campers will receive a three-day notice to move or obtain a permit and an official warning, said Benjamin Bailey, Bozeman’s neighborhood services and code compliance manager. Then people will face misdemeanor charges, with up to a $500 fine or 10 days in jail.

That’s a steep change from the current law, which imposes a $25 fine and civil penalty after three warnings for violations. Previously, cities could not force campers to move if there were a lack of beds in homeless shelters, but that was overruled by the Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court decision in June.

On Wednesday, officials impounded a handful of abandoned vehicles or vehicles with residents who had not been responsive to the city. The city has held monthly clean-ups of camping spots since February, Winn said, hauling trash and items like broken furniture away in dump trailers. A city report estimated that some $60,000 had been spent on urban camping clean-ups in fiscal year 2024.

Asked where these residents are being directed to go, Winn said the city hasn’t designated specific areas. New camping spots must fit within the rules of the ordinance — camping within 100 feet of businesses and residences or adjacent to parks or cemeteries isn’t allowed. Winn said he doesn’t yet know if other areas will be closed to camping like these three streets, and “it all depends” on how conflicts with neighbors play out.

Bailey said campers were informed of the new permit system through notices with QR codes taped to vehicle windows. People can scan them and fill out the short application. City officials have also been talking to people in person to ensure they are aware of the law change and using translators for non-English speakers, he said.

As of Wednesday, the city had received 37 permit applications, Winn said. Officials have processed 26 so far, approving 20 and denying six. 

Permits can be denied if the applicant has had frequent citations or been challenging for neighboring residents, Winn said. The city will also deny campers who do have other options so the city can focus on helping the people most in need, Winn said. 

“There’s a lot of reasons why people are on the street here, and there are some hard-working folks who just have a bad run of luck… They want to get off the street. They want to find permanent housing. They want to find work. And those are the folks we want to focus our efforts on helping,” Winn said. 

“We also know there are people who have other options that are on the street,” Winn said. “We’ve had people tell us, ‘Yeah I’m gonna get out of here. I’ve just been waiting until you make me.’” 

Tim, an unhoused resident who declined to share his last name for safety reasons, has urban camped in Bozeman for five years. He said he’s experienced frequent harassment from homeowners and other campers and once had a septic tank dumped into his trailer. 

While he hasn’t applied yet, Tim said he plans to get a camping permit because he has no other choice. He doesn’t know yet where he’ll go. It’s difficult to move his camper, Tim said, as he works regular double shifts at a local bar and isn’t home much. 

“I have to apply for it because I don’t have anywhere else to go,” Tim said. “It’s just one big headache. I’m trying so hard not to break any of their rules. I keep my place clean. But we are all just completely vulnerable. It’s like we’re the bait on the end of the hook and somebody’s fishing with us.” 

Charles Touchton, another urban camper, plans to move his set-up to a friend’s property in Gallatin Gateway once the new law takes effect. He said he makes good money working as a mason but can’t rent an apartment because of a past felony conviction. 

Touchton said the idea of criminalizing homelessness is anti-American and concerning to him. He’s worried about his neighbors here and people who are worse off than him. 

“I’m just wondering what are all the other people gonna do that don’t have anywhere to go,” Touchton said. “I just got lucky I got somewhere to go. I don’t like where things are at, but it is what it is.” 

Bozeman’s Winn said once the ordinance sunsets next October — with urban camping set to be banned entirely — officials will assess the situation and see how to handle the remaining campers. He hopes most people in need will have found other options by then.

“But right now, it’s such a big problem, and people are here for so many different reasons that it’s hard to know,” Winn said. “It’s hard to know who we can help, and who wants help.”

Isabel Hicks is a freelance writer based in Bozeman. The Montana Free Press is a Helena-based nonprofit newsroom.