District of Squamish is planning to expand the camping ban to all of Squamish, a year after it restricted camping in the Estuary and Mamquam Forest Service road areas.
At an upcoming meeting, staff will bring before council a new updated bylaw that will delete Schedule A, the area where camping was restricted by council last year.
This would make camping illegal anywhere in town, except in legally designated camping areas.
Last year, Squamish adopted the bylaw to restrict camping in the “hotspot” areas in town. It was an urgent measure to reduce wildlife attractants and conflict, wildfire risk, and neighbourhood issues.
Bylaw officers conducted proactive sweeps, made people aware of the bylaw and directed them towards available campsites. However, with the onset of COVID-19, Squamish has seen sudden increase in people living in vehicles in town.
“These congregations of vehicles are causing public health risks due to the absence of sanitation infrastructure and pose a risk to the vehicle dwellers as well as the public,” according to the report.
District staff also notes there is low cost campsites currently available, including reduced rates for the municipal campground.
The district will doing an analysis of the ‘sustainable policy options’ for people living in vehicles, although recommendations are expected in this fall. The current public health risk requires a more urgent measure, staff says.
Council will consider the bylaw update on Tuesday, July 21.
