CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council is set to establish a public hearing for Oct. 3 to discuss proposed changes to the city’s camping regulations. The revisions target camping on private property within the city limits, particularly in light of increased homelessness and associated criminal activity, according to a memo prepared for the City Council.
Homelessness has been on the rise in Casper, especially in the downtown area, prompting the establishment of a Homeless Task Force in late 2022.
The task force’s findings suggest that amending the existing ordinance could enhance law enforcement’s ability to handle negative impacts, the memo states.
The potential changes would mandate the following:
- Camping on private property would require written permission from the property owner or their representative.
- Camping duration on private property would be capped at seven consecutive days or 14 total days per year.
- Camping within 100 feet of a stream or the North Platte River, outside of approved public campgrounds, would be prohibited.
The City Council also intends to rectify inconsistencies in the Casper Municipal Code concerning camping within the city. This includes aligning Section 17.104.170 – Parking and Dwelling Use Restrictions – Permit with the proposed changes to Chapter 9.48.
Currently, the section restricts the use of recreational vehicles as dwellings on private or public lands to five consecutive days.
The council also aims to update the City of Casper’s Parking Manual, which presently states that the use of a recreational vehicle for dwelling purposes, when parked on private property or a public street, should be limited to five days within a 30-day span.
The proposed changes come after the council’s Aug. 22 work session, during which the council discussed staff recommendations on altering the municipal code.
For residents and stakeholders interested in the proposed amendments, the Oct. 3 public hearing, if approved by the council, will provide an opportunity for community feedback before any final decisions are made.
The memos for the City Council can be found below.
Due to ongoing and extensive renovations at City Hall, the City Council will meet in The Lyric, 230 W. Yellowstone Highway, at 6 p.m. with a pre-meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The session is open to the public. Those interested can watch a video of the work session on the City of Casper YouTube channel.
