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<br /> <br />ORDINANCE NO. _______ <br />AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO CAMPING AND CREATING A NEW CHAPTER <br />TO THE KITTITAS COUNTY CODE ENTITLED “9.55 REGULATING PUBLIC <br />CAMPING.” <br />WHEREAS, Article XI, section 11 of the Washington State Constitution authorizes the <br />County to make and enforce in its limits all such local police, sanitary and other regulations as <br />are not in conflict with general laws; and <br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County has a homeless population that lives in its public <br />areas using makeshift and temporary shelters and tents; and <br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County has experienced public health, safety, and welfare <br />problems that are associated with the homeless population camping on County-owned property; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, camping without adequate sanitation services, such as sewer, water, and <br />garbage, presents a significant public health and safety concern due to increased risk of spread of <br />disease and potential for citizens contracting illnesses; and <br />WHEREAS, public property is intended for, and should be, available to the public for its <br />intended purposes, including daily County operations, park recreational use, pedestrian, bicycle <br />and vehicular transportation, and other public uses; and <br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County recognizes the importance of working with outside and <br />contracted agencies to create permanent overnight shelter space for the homeless population; and <br />WHEREAS, Kittitas County wishes to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its <br />residents and visitors by identifying public areas and rights of way that are not suitable for <br />overnight camping. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, after due notice and hearing, it is hereby ordained as follows: <br />A new chapter entitled “9.55 Regulating Public Camping” is hereby added to the Kittitas County <br />Code, and the County’s Information Technology Department is hereby directed to add said <br />chapter to the website-version of the county code to read as follows: <br />Chapter 9.55 <br />REGULATING PUBLIC CAMPING <br />Sections <br />9.55.010 Purpose.