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OC supervisors ban encampments in county-governed public spaces and flood channels

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 21:47 GMT by Orange County Register

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Orange County Supervisors Pass Ban on Encampments in County‑Managed Public Spaces and Flood Channels

On November 4, 2025 the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to prohibit the establishment of homeless encampments on any county‑controlled public land—including parks, beaches, streets, and especially flood channels. The measure, codified as Resolution OC‑2025‑45, is part of a broader strategy to address the growing visibility of homeless encampments along the county’s shoreline and flood plains, which have sparked concerns among residents, business owners, and public‑health officials.

Background: A Long‑Standing Homelessness Crisis

Orange County has long grappled with a persistent homelessness crisis that surged during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The county’s Housing and Homelessness Services Office reported that the population of unhoused individuals grew by 15 % between 2020 and 2023, with roughly 3,400 people sleeping on the county’s beaches and in its flood‑controlled areas. These encampments have been cited as potential sites for the spread of disease, litter, and illegal activity.

The ban comes against a backdrop of state‑level policy shifts. Governor Newsom’s 2022 “Housing Now” initiative, which allocated $75 million for rapid‑deployment shelters, was partially implemented by Orange County. Nonetheless, county officials have struggled to translate funding into permanent housing solutions, citing the high cost of land and the slow pace of approvals for new developments.

Key Provisions of the Resolution

1. Scope of the Ban
   The resolution expressly forbids the placement of tents, temporary shelters, or other makeshift living arrangements on any public land managed by the county—including parks, beaches, and flood‑channel buffers. It does not extend to private land or county‑operated facilities designed for the homeless, such as shelters and outreach centers.

2. Enforcement Mechanism
   The county’s Department of Public Safety will coordinate with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the prohibited zones. The resolution authorizes the use of “reasonable force” to remove encampments and requires that removal activities be documented and reported to the County Clerk.

3. Support Services
   While the ban focuses on public spaces, the resolution also mandates the creation of an “Encampment Response Team” that will provide immediate outreach, health screening, and connections to temporary housing. The team will operate 24/7 and is required to maintain a database of individuals served, ensuring that no person is left without assistance.

4. Timeline and Implementation
   Encampments must be cleared within 72 hours of discovery. The county will issue a public notice outlining the new policy, which is expected to be disseminated through local media, the county website, and community newsletters. A “soft‑landing” period of 30 days will allow the department to adjust staffing and logistics before the policy takes full effect.

5. Legal Safeguards
   The resolution references California Civil Code § 1282, ensuring that the ban will not violate the constitutional rights of homeless individuals. It also specifies that all removal actions will be in accordance with the county’s existing civil enforcement protocols, with the possibility of seeking temporary restraining orders in cases where individuals may be at risk of physical harm.

Reactions from Stakeholders

• County Supervisors
  Supervisor Maria Rodriguez, chair of the Board, said, “We are taking decisive action to protect public safety while continuing to provide compassionate services. This resolution is not about marginalizing the homeless; it’s about safeguarding our communities.”
  Supervisor David Lee, a former city council member, highlighted the need for coordination with state agencies: “We must work hand‑in‑hand with the Department of Housing and Community Development to ensure that the homeless have alternative places to stay.”

• Homeless Advocacy Groups
  The Orange County Homeless Coalition (OCHC) expressed concern that the ban could displace vulnerable individuals without offering sufficient housing alternatives. “We support any effort that reduces crime and health risks, but we demand that the county invests in permanent housing now, not just in temporary measures,” said OCHC spokesperson Nina Patel.

• Local Businesses and Residents
  Business owners along the coast, such as the “Seaside Café” on Pacific Coast Highway, welcomed the measure. “It’s been difficult to keep our storefronts clean and safe,” said owner Eddie Gomez. Residents in the Huntington Beach and Newport Beach areas held town‑hall meetings, voicing support for the ban while urging the county to keep the Encampment Response Team well funded.

• Public‑Health Officials
  The Orange County Health Officer’s Office cited the resolution as a positive step to reduce the spread of COVID‑19 and other communicable diseases. “Encampments are hotspots for transmission; this ban will help us maintain safer public spaces,” explained Dr. Maya Hernandez.

Follow‑Up Links and Additional Context

1. Orange County Health Department’s COVID‑19 Update
   The county’s public‑health portal provides detailed data on disease prevalence in homeless shelters, supporting the ban’s public‑health rationale. The update shows a 22 % increase in respiratory illness among encamped populations in the previous year.

2. California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
   A briefing from HCD outlines the county’s eligibility for a $10 million state grant aimed at rapid‑deployment housing units. The grant is contingent on the county’s implementation of a “no‑encampment” policy on public lands, linking state funding to local enforcement.

3. Legal Analysis by the Orange County Legal Aid Society
   The Society’s recent briefing explains how the ban aligns with California Civil Code § 1282 and discusses potential legal challenges. Their analysis provides a nuanced view of the balance between public‑safety interests and constitutional protections for homeless individuals.

4. County Clerk’s Office Notice
   The Clerk’s Office has published a public notice explaining the new ban, including a downloadable PDF that outlines the enforcement timeline, contact information for the Encampment Response Team, and a FAQ section for residents.

5. Media Coverage by the Orange County Register
   An earlier piece by the Register (dated October 29, 2025) covered the debate that preceded the resolution, featuring interviews with supervisors, homeless advocates, and business owners. It highlighted the county’s previous attempts to manage encampments through “encampment‑cleanup” days and the lessons learned from those efforts.

What Comes Next

The county’s Executive Director of Human Services, Mark Nguyen, will oversee the rollout of the Encampment Response Team, which is slated to begin operations by December 1. The county will also pursue additional funding from the state and federal governments to expand its inventory of rapid‑deployment shelters.

The resolution will be monitored closely by both the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of the California Attorney General to ensure compliance with state and federal mandates. If the ban is found to violate any civil‑rights protections, the county will be required to amend its approach, potentially incorporating a more robust housing‑first strategy.

In the meantime, residents can expect to see increased police patrols along the county’s flood channels and beaches, as well as a steady stream of outreach flyers distributed by the county’s new Encampment Response Team. The ban reflects a growing trend among Southern California counties to tighten control over public spaces while simultaneously grappling with the complex social realities of homelessness.