Missoula City Council Keeps Urban Camping Ordinance in Place

Staff update shows ordinance has reduced complaints, but also led to displacement of homeless individuals

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:21pm

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A serene, nostalgic painting of an empty park bench in a Missoula city park, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative mood that reflects the complex issues surrounding the city's urban camping policy.The Missoula urban camping ordinance has led to a decrease in visible homelessness in public spaces, but also raised concerns about the displacement of those in need of services.Missoula Today

The Missoula City Council has decided to keep its urban camping ordinance in place after a staff update showed the policy has been successful in reducing camping complaints within city limits by over 65% in the past two years, though it has also led to the displacement of homeless individuals away from service hubs.

Why it matters

The urban camping ordinance has been a contentious issue, with some council members arguing it has criminalized homelessness and made it harder for service providers to locate and assist those in need, while others believe it has balanced various community priorities around public safety and access to resources.

The details

In June 2024, the Missoula City Council passed an ordinance addressing urban camping within city limits. The ordinance requires the council to review it several times a year. At a recent committee meeting, city staff reported that complaints about urban camping have dropped by more than 65% over the past two years, and there has been a notable decrease in camping within city parks. However, staff also acknowledged the ordinance has led to the displacement of homeless individuals away from service hubs, a concern echoed by Council Member Kristen Jordan, who voted against the ordinance when it was first introduced.

  • The Missoula City Council passed the urban camping ordinance in June 2024.
  • The council reviewed the ordinance and received a staff update on its progress on April 15, 2026.

The players

Dale Bickell

Chief administrative officer for the city of Missoula, who reported that staff believe the ordinance has been successful and do not recommend any changes.

Marina Yoshioka

Director of the city of Missoula Parks and Recreation Department, who told the council the ordinance has reduced camping in city parks but also led to displacement.

Kristen Jordan

Missoula City Council member who voted against the ordinance when it was introduced and expressed concerns about it dispersing people away from service hubs and leading to criminal convictions.

Mike Nugent

Missoula City Council member who said the ordinance has balanced various city and community priorities around public safety and access to resources.

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What they’re saying

“We as staff in the administration aren't recommending any changes to the ordinance. We believe that implementation has been successful and consistent with council's original intent.”

— Dale Bickell, Chief administrative officer, City of Missoula

“The data shows enforcement has dispersed people away from service hubs. Providers are telling us they can no longer locate their clients, and people who are being actively connected to housing, employment services now have misdemeanor criminal convictions on their records.”

— Kristen Jordan, Missoula City Council member

“I think that for me, it's always been about taking a lens that looks at this very broadly and tries to find something that threads a needle of keeping people safe and recognizing that there are issues that create situations that some people have no control over and that there are also within that community, there are also people that choose not to utilize the help or recognize that there are rules that are being broken.”

— Mike Nugent, Missoula City Council member

What’s next

The Missoula City Council will continue to review the urban camping ordinance several times per year as required.

The takeaway

The Missoula urban camping ordinance has had mixed results, reducing overall complaints but also leading to the displacement of homeless individuals away from critical service providers. The council's decision to keep the ordinance in place reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety, access to resources, and compassion for those experiencing homelessness.