Olympia, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Chapter 12.74 of the Olympia Municipal Code, City Property, City Parklets, and City Right-of-Way, bans camping across the public land the City of Olympia controls. Section 12.74.010(A) makes it unlawful at all times to camp or construct camp facilities at or on the grounds of all City Property, City Parklets, and City right-of-way. The definitions in 12.74.020 give the ban its reach. To camp is to use camp paraphernalia for the purpose of temporary or permanent habitation or to construct or use camp facilities. Camp facilities include tents, huts, lean-tos, tarpaulins, canvas, cardboard, corrugated tin, or other temporary shelters.

Camp paraphernalia covers tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, blankets, bedrolls, mattresses, hammocks, tables, chairs and cooking facilities or equipment. City Property means property owned by the City whether or not it has a structure, including parks, parking lots and plazas. Right-of-way means the area adjacent to or within any City street, median, alley or public sidewalk, whether or not used for vehicle parking. A parklet is a City parking space or spaces authorized by permit as a small park-like setting. Two safeguards sit in the text.

Subsection B bars a citation unless the person keeps engaging in the prohibited conduct after a law enforcement officer has notified the person that the conduct violates the section. Subsection C lets the City Manager allow temporary camping on City property in connection with an emergency declared by the City Council. The chapter prints no storage, posting or cleanup procedure for belongings; the only procedural step it contains is the officer notice. Camping or overnight vehicle stays in parks are also addressed in OMC 12.60.110.