Camden is latest NJ municipality to ban public camping

Despite objections from residents and advocates for the homeless, every council member backed the measure.

Camden is the latest New Jersey municipality to ban camping in public places, joining a growing list of towns and cities adopting such restrictions as homelessness rises across the state.

The Camden City Council unanimously voted Oct. 13 to approve an ordinance banning camping despite more than an hour of testimony from residents and social justice advocates who warned it would criminalize homelessness.

The ordinance carries fines of up to $1,000 for repeat violations, though people without available indoor housing are exempt. It also allows authorities to remove belongings from public property.

“These laws turn basic human survival into criminal acts. Passing this ordinance is inhumane and counterproductive,” said Camden resident Tawanda Jones at the council meeting. “Are we truly preparing to fine, ticket, or arrest families who have lost their homes through no fault of their own? Criminalizing unhoused residents creates unnecessary police records, making it even harder for them to secure jobs and permanent housing.”

The ordinance, introduced by Ward 3 Councilmember Falio Leyba-Martinez, carries fines of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third. Judges can also require people to take part in behavioral health, social work, or other services instead of paying fines.

Under the ordinance, people who have nowhere indoors to stay are exempt, as long as no shelter bed or other suitable indoor housing is available in Camden or Camden County, along with the transportation available to get there. That exemption ends once housing becomes available. But the law does not explain how officials will determine whether a space is available or who is responsible for arranging transportation.

Enforcing similar laws in other municipalities has proven messy and disruptive.

Leyba-Martinez defended the ban, though, saying it was meant to protect residents rather than criminalize homelessness.

“I’m glad to have so many people in support of this,” he said, although no one had spoken in favor of the ordinance after more than an hour of testimony. “The reason we have so many people supporting this is because this ordinance is not criminalizing homelessness.”

Some members of the public objected loudly to his suggestion that the ordinance had public support. Council President Angel Fuentes asked the crowd to let Leyba-Martinez speak.

“I don’t want to have the security move anyone,” Fuentes said.

“It’s about protecting our neighbors, offering people help, taking action when it’s refused and harmful behavior continues,” Leyba-Martinez said. “Where is the compassion for the people that have to wake up to go to work, and their car is ransacked?”

The Camden County Police Department, city code enforcement and health departments, and fire authorities will enforce the ban. They can also remove belongings that pose a clear and immediate danger to public health or safety.

People must be given 24 hours to remove their belongings. If they do not, police or the city’s Department of Public Works can take the property, which must then be stored and disposed of under state law.

The ordinance takes effect 20 days after final passage and publication, but fines and other penalties will not begin for another 45 days. In the meantime, officials can explain the new rules to residents and issue verbal or written warnings.

At the Oct. 13 meeting, Raisa Rubin-Stankiewicz, policy director for the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, said the ban would be a step backward for Camden.

“I do want to acknowledge that Camden has stepped up to address homelessness, and has demonstrated that a coordinated service-focused approach can make a difference. At a time when homelessness is rising across most of New Jersey, we have seen that homelessness in Camden County has held relatively steady,” said Rubin-Stankiewicz. “We want to help build on that progress, not see it undermined by an ordinance that risks criminalizing people who have nowhere else to go.”

The coalition estimates that Camden has 282 shelter beds, with some reserved for people of certain ages or genders. According to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, 663 people were living without shelter in Camden County as of Oct. 13.

“There simply is not enough shelter and housing to meet the need,” said Rubin-Stankiewicz.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2024 decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson opened the door for this type of camping ban. Since then, several New Jersey municipalities, including Toms River and Manchester, have adopted similar restrictions.

Summit adopted a public camping ban in June 2025. Ocean City adopted one in July. Other New Jersey municipalities, including Toms River and Manchester, have also adopted similar restrictions.

The bans come as homelessness is rising sharply across New Jersey. The number of people experiencing homelessness rose from 10,652 in January 2022 to 16,172 in October 2026, an increase of more than 50%. The number living without shelter climbed even faster, from 5,025 in January 2022 to 8,775 in 2026, a jump of nearly 75%.

Beyond the threat of fines, enforcing camping bans can also mean losing essential belongings. A ProPublica investigation found that sweeps of homeless encampments across the country led authorities to confiscate important paperwork, medication, clothing, and other valuable belongings from people living without shelter.

Council also restricts public food distribution

The City Council also unanimously approved new rules for distributing food in public at the Oct. 13 meeting. Anyone handing out food in public must obtain a food handler’s certificate and a permit from the city’s Department of Code Enforcement.

The permit costs $10. Applicants must explain where and when they plan to distribute food, how many people they expect to serve, and how they will clean up afterward. Permits are valid for one year.

The city’s code enforcement director can also require organizers to provide security, arrange for trash disposal, or set up portable toilets if they expect to serve more than 25 people.

Violations carry fines of up to $25 for a first offense and $30 for a second. Third and subsequent violations are subject to penalties under another section of the city code.

The requirements could make it harder for mutual aid groups and residents to organize charitable food giveaways, although the ordinance says permits generally should be approved and cannot be unreasonably denied.

Ward 1 Councilmember Arthur Barclay introduced the ordinance, citing concerns about food safety, traffic, litter, and noise. The ordinance also lists “Prevention of a Nuisance” as a reason for regulating food distribution.

Whether the new restrictions will help address problems remains to be seen.

“We can’t ordinance our way out of homelessness,” Rubin-Stankiewicz said.