SLO County city just updated its camping rules to combat homelessness. What changed?

A new ordinance passed by the Grover Beach City Council will shrink the area available to homeless residents to camp and restrict parking on some local streets.

At its March 27 meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to adopt adopted an ordinance that sets rules for when, where and how people can camp on public and private property as a means of addressing homelessness throughout South County.

“Addressing homelessness is an ongoing priority for the city, and we value the community’s engagement and involvement in the process,” Grover Beach Mayor Karen Bright said in a news release. “Adopting this ordinance is one of many tools the city is employing to implement change in our local and regional communities.

“Along with our shelter efforts, this new policy will help us continue addressing resident concerns and give us the ability to take action where we can.”

The new ordinance extends the setback in the El Camino Real open space area to from 200 feet to 250 feet and will implement fencing along Margarita Avenue and Charles Street.

“No parking” signs will also be added along North 4th Street to limit access to the El Camino Real open space area.

The city’s previous ordinance on camping was no longer enforceable due to a 2018 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case Martin v. City of Boise, the city said in the release, which prevents cities from enforcing encampment policies if there are not enough shelter options.

“Following the opening of the Cabins for Change program in December 2022 and the ongoing development of the Barca Street housing facility, the city reevaluated its homelessness response mechanisms to maintain a holistic approach,” the city said in the release.

In addition to supporting more shelter spaces, the city said, Grover Beach also engaged in several encampment clean ups to promote community health and safety.

Before the ordinance goes into effect April 27, the Grover Beach Police Department will conduct outreach efforts and post visible signage in areas that will no longer be available for camping.

An update on the ordinance’s effectiveness, along with other homelessness efforts, will be presented to the City Council in late 2023 or early 2024.

“The adopted ordinance is part of a multidimensional approach that utilizes compassion and order to combat homelessness within the city,” Grover Beach city manager Matt Bronson said in the release. “These new regulations will amplify and complement the City’s other homelessness initiatives that are already in the works.”

Bronson said the city will continue working with 5Cities Homeless Coalition and San Luis Obispo County to “expand our reach.”