Yakima, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Where banned
- streets, parks, city property
- Enforcement
- code officer may summarily abate
- Permits
- available under YMC Ch. 5.98/9.70
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine
Summary
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.
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 by law, including, but not limited to, the penalty provision of this chapter, such an obstruction is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. The code enforcement officer or his or her designee may summarily abate any such obstruction, or the obstruction may be abated as prescribed in Chapter 6.56 YMC.
(3) The provisions of this section do not apply to those items specifically provided for in other sections of this chapter.
(4) The code enforcement officer may promulgate policies to carry out this section. (Ord. 2016-012 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2023-007 § 1, 2023)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
Yakima Municipal Code § 6.91.030 bars erecting any tent, tarp, or other camping structure on public property, streets, sidewalks, parks, rights-of-way, without a city permit. Unauthorized structures are declared a public nuisance, and the code enforcement officer may summarily abate them or proceed under the Chapter 6.56 nuisance procedure. Camping permits run through YMC Chapter 5.98 or 9.70. The companion camping ban at § 6.91.010 requires 'verification' that alternative shelter is available before officers cite a person for simply camping, but the structure-abatement power here applies regardless, covering all city-owned land within Yakima, Yakima County, Washington.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 6.91, including erecting unauthorized camp structures, is a misdemeanor under § 6.91.090, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the city remove an encampment structure without a court order?
Does Yakima check for shelter space before enforcing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
Compare Yakima to another location·View the Washington homelessness & encampment rules overview
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