City of Bozeman Gives Special Presentation on Camping in the Right-of-Way July 22

BOZEMAN, Montana (July 17, 2025) – Bozeman City Commission is set to have a special presentation where city staff will provide an update on the state of urban camping in Bozeman on Tuesday, July 22 at City Hall (121 N Rouse Ave) at 6 p.m. This presentation will include the current conditions of Ordinance 2172, which prohibits camping but provides for a limited permit system, and how it is going.

“Our approach has always been to treat all involved in this situation, from the unhoused to neighbors to business owners, with compassion and empathy,” City Manager Chuck Winn explained. “We are on a first-name basis with everyone living on the street and work hard to connect them with services and get them on their feet. This is a hard topic for many in our community to grapple with and talk about, and we continue to encourage people to get involved and provide their thoughts.”

Ordinance 2172 makes it illegal for people to live in vehicles on city rights-of-way without a permit and establishes misdemeanor penalties for those who violate the ordinance. Permits are granted for a 30-day stay, at which point someone must reapply to continue living in the right-of-way. Those who are granted a permit must also follow place and manner restrictions, which determine where it is ok to camp and the expectations around cleanliness and sanitation. The permit system is set to sunset in October 2025.

The City has had an evolving approach to people living in vehicles, in large part due to shifts in the legal landscape during recent years.

In June 2024, the US Supreme Court overturned the 9th Circuit Court’s decision in Johnson vs. Grants Pass and determined that cities have a right to enforce anti-camping laws should they so choose, including with misdemeanor penalties. This led the City to enact Ordinance 2172 to prohibit camping but allow a temporary permit system to allow those living in vehicles time to transition off the street before returning to the original ban on camping.

At its height, city staff counted nearly 250 vehicles in the right-of-way. That number is now down to approximately 30. Many of those who have lived in the right-of-way have remained local, moving into housing in the area or lots where they can permanently park their vehicles.

Public comment is encouraged ahead of the meeting and can be provided by emailing comments@bozeman.net, or submitted in person during the meeting or online via Zoom.
For more information on the current regulations, visit https://www.bozeman.net/our-city/city-projects/unhoused-in-public-rights-of-way.