Longmont, CO Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

120(a) makes it unlawful to camp on any city park, parkway, recreation area, open space or other city property without a permit; subsection (b) separately requires anyone camping on private property to first get permission from the owner or the person responsible for its care. Subsection (c) exempts any dwelling in the city, so the ordinance targets outdoor camping rather than housing. "Camp" is defined in subsection (d) as residing or dwelling temporarily by using or erecting a shelter, tent, or other cover besides worn clothing or a blanket, and carrying out daily living activities like eating or sleeping there; napping or picnicking up to two hours per calendar day during public hours is explicitly excluded, and posted sun shelters may be used in parks that allow them.

Subsection (e) lets a property owner's agent testify that no permission was given as prima facie evidence of a violation. Subsection (f) authorizes the director of parks and natural resources to propose administrative rules for enforcing the section, reviewed by the city attorney's office and adopted by the city manager, with public notice and a comment period published in a newspaper of general circulation before and after adoption. The section was adopted by Ord. No. O-2023-20 on May 25, 2023.