Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Lakewood, WA (2026)

1 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Lakewood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Encampment Sanitation

Lakewood, Washington bans occupying a campsite on sidewalks, streets, parks or other public property without City Council or emergency authorization. Before police remove a campsite, the City must post a 24-hour notice and tell a homeless-services agency, and personal property is stored for at least 30 days.

Lakewood, WA Encampment Removal Protocol

Significant Restrictions

LMC 8.46.030, LMC 8.46.050

No person may occupy a campsite in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way, park, bench, or any other publicly owned property or under any bridge or viaduct, unless (A) otherwise specifically authorized by this code, (B) by a formal declaration of the City Manager in emergency circumstances, or (C) upon City Council resolution. ... Upon discovery of a campsite on public p...

Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lakewood city rules.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Pierce County