File #: 25-3178    Name: No Camping Ordinance
Type: Ordinance Status: Regular Agenda Item
In control: City Council Regular Meeting
On agenda: 9/16/2025 Final action:
Title: Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 74 (Parks and Recreation) and Chapter 70 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) of the McKinney Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the Prohibition of Camping in Parks or Public Areas
Attachments: 1. Proposed Ordinance, 2. Presentation
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
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Title

Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 74 (Parks and Recreation) and Chapter 70 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) of the McKinney Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the Prohibition of Camping in Parks or Public Areas

 

Summary

 

COUNCIL GOAL:                     Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney

 

MEETING DATE:                     September 16, 2025

 

DEPARTMENT:                      Police Department

                     Code Services Department

                     City Attorney’s Office

 

CONTACT:                       Jennifer Arnold, AICP, Assistant City Manager

                     Joe Ellenburg, Chief of Police

                     Phillip Hubbard, Director of Code Services

                     Jeremy Page, Assistant City Attorney

 

 

RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:                     

•                     Adoption of the proposed Ordinance.

 

ITEM SUMMARY: 

  • On May 7, 2019, the City Council adopted regulations prohibiting camping in parks and public areas, except for designated campsites in Erwin Park. These provisions were placed within Chapter 74 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, which governs Parks and Recreation.

 

  • Recent caselaw, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024), have clarified the extent of municipal authority to regulate camping in public areas. Based on this ruling and to provide greater clarity and enforceability, staff recommends relocating and strengthening the City’s camping regulations by:
  • Repealing the existing provision in Chapter 74 (Parks and Recreation) related to camping.

 

  • Adopting a new Article XI (Camping) within Chapter 70 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions), which carries over the existing regulations from Chapter 74 and provides clarity on the definition of camping and public areas across the city where these activities are prohibited.

 

  • Specifically, the ordinance:
  • Prohibits camping in parks, rights-of-way, and other public areas, unless specifically permitted.
  • Defines “camping” as activities such as storing belongings, using tents or shelters, cooking, fires, digging, or staying in vehicles overnight in City-owned lots and streets.
  • Allows exceptions, including designated City camping areas (such as Erwin Park), overnight parking in privately-owned commercial lots, and camping by a property owner on their own residential property.
  • Establishes responsibilities for property owners to prevent unauthorized camping on their land after receiving notice from the City.
  • The ordinance also includes a provision for reconsideration by the City Council on or before September 16, 2026, and will expire if not extended.

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

  • On July 17, 2025, the city conducted a targeted stakeholder meeting to hear input on challenges and opportunities currently occurring in the downtown area. During that meeting, Staff shared possible ordinance amendments, which were generally received favorably.
  • On August 13, 2025, the city hosted a second stakeholder meeting to share information about homelessness in McKinney and obtain feedback on possible ordinance amendments.
  • At the August 19, 2025 City Council Work Session, Council Staff presented an overview of possible ordinance amendments, including the proposed ordinance, for discussion.