What Happens to Burien’s Camping Ban Now That the State Bill Failed?

For the past several years, tents have largely disappeared from parks and sidewalks across Burien. Now city leaders must decide whether that policy remains in place.

The question resurfaced after the failure of Washington House Bill 2489, a statewide proposal sponsored by State Rep. Mia Gregerson (Dem-33rd).

The measure, often called the “Shelter Not Penalties” bill, would have limited when cities could penalize people for sleeping or camping in public spaces if adequate shelter beds were not available.

With the bill defeated in Olympia, the decision about camping enforcement returns to local governments, including Burien.

Supporters argued the bill would protect people experiencing homelessness when no shelter space exists. Opponents said it would make it far harder for cities to enforce camping bans and would shift key decisions away from local governments.

During the legislative process, Burien Mayor Sarah Moore spoke in favor of the proposal during the public comment period, as Burien was already engaged in a local debate over its own camping restrictions.

Burien Camping Ban Cleared Tents from Parks

Two years ago Burien adopted ordinances restricting uncontrolled camping in parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces. The move led to a legal dispute with the King County Sheriff's Office as tensions escalated with county leadership under Dow Constantine.

City officials said the goal was to restore local control and address growing encampments in public areas, including the city’s rain garden and nearby streets. Enforcement eventually cleared dozens of tents from parks and sidewalks.

Residents say the difference has been noticeable. Neighbors report feeling safer in parks and public spaces. Some business owners say they no longer face the daily cleanup that once came with encampments outside storefronts. Families say they can again visit places like the local library with their children without navigating a wall of tents, open air drug use, or people sleeping along sidewalks.

Supporters say the policy restored access to public spaces while allowing outreach workers to connect people with shelter and services. Critics argue enforcement without enough shelter options simply moves people from place to place.

That outcome now puts the question back in front of Burien’s current council: whether to keep the policies that cleared the parks or take a different approach.

"Shelter, Not Penalties" Bill Dies in Legislature

The debate intensified during the most recent legislative session as lawmakers considered the statewide proposal sponsored by Gregerson.

The bill sought to create a uniform rule limiting when cities could penalize camping in public spaces if shelter beds were unavailable. Supporters said the policy would provide protections for people experiencing homelessness across Washington. Opponents argued it would strip cities of the ability to manage public spaces and respond to local conditions.

When the bill failed to advance before key legislative deadlines, those decisions returned to local governments.

Burien Council Majority Promised to Reverse the Ban, Raising Public Safety Concerns

Burien’s council now has a different political makeup. A majority of current councilmembers, including Mayor Moore, Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia, Rocco DeVito, and Sam Mendez, campaigned on reversing the camping ban adopted by the previous council.

If the state bill had passed, that policy shift might have come through Olympia. Instead, lawmakers declined to adopt the measure, leaving the decision squarely in local hands.

We reached out to Mayor Moore for comment, but have not yet received a response. We will update with any comments.

State Law Opens Door to More Supportive Housing

Lawmakers did approve a separate housing measure this year. Washington House Bill 2266 removes certain zoning barriers to supportive housing and emergency shelters.

Burien has already experienced one such project. About five years ago the city approved a facility operated by the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC), allowing the Bloomside supportive housing development to be built in Burien, the first DESC project outside Seattle.

The building, which opened in July 2024, houses about 95 formerly homeless residents. Each resident signed a good neighbor agreement intended to address safety and neighborhood concerns. Some nearby residents say those expectations have not always been met, while supporters say supportive housing provides stability for people leaving homelessness.

Under HB 2266, similar projects could become easier to locate in residential areas as cities update zoning rules.

What Happens Next Is Up to Burien

Because the state bill failed, Burien still retains the authority to enforce its camping ordinance under existing law. Federal rulings such as Martin v. City of Boise limit penalties when shelter beds are unavailable, but Olympia did not impose a new statewide rule.

For residents who have watched tents largely disappear from Burien parks and sidewalks, the council’s next decision could determine whether those policies remain in place.

For now, the state has stepped aside.

Whether tents return to Burien’s parks and sidewalks will now be decided not in Olympia, but in City Hall.