Casa Grande adopts urban camping ordinance, council and service providers pledge further coordination before October effective date

The Casa Grande City Council on a unanimous vote approved Ordinance No. 1397.19, creating chapter 12.08 of the Casa Grande Municipal Code to regulate urban camping and storage of personal belongings. The measure establishes penalties for violations and sets an effective date in October.

City officials said the ordinance is intended not to criminalize homelessness but to manage locations where people are camping because certain concentrated encampments have created safety and sanitation concerns for surrounding neighborhoods. “The point of the ordinance is not to be heavy handed,” said the Deputy City Manager, describing staff efforts to coordinate nonprofits and to dedicate a staff person to help organize services and search for an appropriate location for shelter or sanctioned camping.

The ordinance drew public comment from local volunteers and service providers who urged the council to ensure women and other vulnerable people have access to shelter, showers and case management. Barry Northup, who identified himself as a volunteer with Crossroads Church and a person who previously experienced homelessness, said he was “concerned with the provisions that are made to help the folks out here.” Barbara Sundust, who volunteers with Laundry Love, described the local clientele and the services volunteers provide: “We served 89 people, 538 loads of laundry…$1,374,” she said, and urged the council to consider coordinated shelters and case-management programs modeled on local and regional examples.

Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and described ongoing stakeholder work. The mayor said the city’s CG Helps coalition meets monthly and that additional nonprofit stakeholders have formed a working group to seek solutions. Staff said the city has visited Phoenix programs to learn best practices and has extended the ordinance’s effective date to October to allow more time for coordination.

The council took a roll-call vote after a reading of the ordinance. Council member Grama, Council member Dugan, Council member B. Dillon, Council member Huddleston, Mayor Pro Tem Herrmann and Mayor Fitzgibbons all voted yes; the motion passed.

Mayor Fitzgibbons and staff said the city will continue monthly stakeholder meetings and public outreach in advance of the ordinance taking effect, and invited service providers to meet with staff to explore shelter and cooling/hydration options. The council did not direct any property acquisitions or authorize condemnation related to shelter siting during the meeting.

Why it matters: The ordinance changes how the city enforces camping and storage rules in public spaces and triggers a window for the city and nonprofit partners to place services and alternatives before enforcement begins in October. Community volunteers warned the council that, without accessible shelters and services, women and people living in vehicles could face barriers to employment and safety.

What’s next: Staff will continue the stakeholder meetings and coordinate with nonprofit partners to identify service sites and report back to council prior to the October effective date.