Port Townsend, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- All city parks, trails, beaches, greenbelts
- Exception
- Temporary permit from public works director
- Enforcement
- Public works director or designee
- Penalty track
- Nuisance abatement, Chapter 1.20 PTMC
Summary
Port Townsend makes it unlawful to camp overnight in any city park, though the public works director can issue temporary camping permits on a case-by-case basis.
It is unlawful to camp in any park; provided, the public works director may issue temporary permits for camping.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3364, passed May 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 11.02 PTMC defines "camp" as remaining overnight, erecting a tent or shelter, or using sleeping equipment, a vehicle, trailer, or camper to permit remaining overnight, and bars that activity in any park, trail, beach, playground, greenbelt, or other open-space area under the public works director's control. The director can grant temporary permits as a narrow exception. Violations are declared nuisances and run through Chapter 1.20 PTMC's abatement, criminal, and civil penalty process rather than a standalone fine schedule.
Violations & Fines
Illegal camping in a park is a nuisance under Chapter 1.20 PTMC, enforceable by abatement plus criminal or civil penalty; the public works director or a designee handles enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can homeless individuals camp in Port Townsend parks?
What counts as "camping" under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port Townsend
Compare Port Townsend to another location·View the Washington homelessness & encampment rules overview
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