Janesville, WI Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Janesville Code of General Ordinances § 38-387, added by Ord. No. 2024-897 on August 26, 2024, bars camping citywide on city park property, public parking ramp property, and any other city-owned property the common council designates off-limits. The section separately bars parking any motor home, camping trailer, camper, or other vehicle or device built or used as temporary or permanent living quarters on a City of Janesville owned public parking lot at any time. The ordinance defines 'to camp or camping' as setting up or remaining at a campsite, including storing personal belongings or camping materials there.

A 'campsite' is any place where bedding, a sleeping bag or other sleeping matter, or a stove or fire is placed or maintained, whether or not it uses a tent, lean-to, shack, other structure, or vehicle. 'Camping materials' expressly includes tents, tarps, umbrellas, metal sheeting, pallets, canopies, hammocks, hunting blinds, boxes, huts, temporary shelters, or vehicles, and 'to store or storage' covers putting aside, accumulating, or leaving items for safekeeping. The only exceptions are camping expressly authorized by city ordinance or declared by the city manager or common council for an emergency or other special circumstance.

Because § 38-387 sits within Article XIV (Public Parking Lots) alongside the article's general violation clause at § 38-386, enforcement there carries a forfeiture of not less than $30.00 nor more than $500.00 per offense plus costs of prosecution, and the police department may immediately tow and store vehicles or other devices left in violation, with towing and storage costs billed to the owner and, if unpaid, levied against real property. Appeals of towing or storage costs must be filed in writing with the chief of police or designee within 14 days of the tow or the invoice mailing, whichever is later, and the common council has final say on the appeal.