Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Yakima, WA (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Yakima fines anyone who sits, lies or stands on a sidewalk in a way that blocks passage badly enough that others must dodge to avoid contact: aggressive panhandling is a separate, tougher offense.
Yakima's Sidewalk Sit-Lie Rule
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 6.75.020(C)(1)
“Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic” means to walk, stand, sit, lie or place an object in such a manner as to block passage by another person or vehicle to such an extent that evasive action is necessary to avoid physical contact. Innocent acts which unintentionally and inadvertently block traffic or cause others to take evasive action; acts authorized as an exercise of one’s constituti...
Encampment Sanitation
Yakima bans erecting tents, tarps, or other camping structures on any street, sidewalk, park, or other city-owned property without a permit, and treats unauthorized camp structures as a public nuisance the code enforcement officer can summarily abate.
Yakima Bans Public Encampment Structures, Allows Abatement
Significant RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 6.91.030
It shall be unlawful to erect, install, place, leave, or set up any type of permanent or temporary camping paraphernalia or camping facilities or structure of any material(s) intended for camping, in or upon public property without a permit or other authorization from the city. (a) Verification is required prior to enforcement of this subsection. (2) In addition to other remedies provided...
Looking for Yakima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Yakima County →