The Missoula City Council has approved new regulations limiting camping on city property, effective July 25, after nearly a year of emergency measures and deliberation on homelessness. These regulations specify where and when camping is allowed, including parks and streets, with the aim of addressing health, safety, and environmental concerns. The council emphasized that these restrictions are part of a broader strategy to support the homeless, including plans for more restrooms, safe parking areas, and designated camping zones.

However, many community members and service providers worry that these restrictions could worsen the challenges faced by the homeless population by displacing them without first offering stable alternatives. Council members Daniel Carlino and Kristen Jordan, who voted against the rules, argued that the restrictions would exacerbate conditions for the homeless and ignore the advice of service providers. They emphasized the need for authorized campsites and additional resources before implementing such ordinances.

Supporters of the regulations noted that they are an improvement over Missoula's previous total ban on camping on city property, which was not enforced due to a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that was recently overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Mayor Andrea Davis described the new rules as a "phase one" that will be monitored and adjusted as needed. The new law establishes buffer zones where camping is prohibited, including areas near residential dwellings, schools, daycares, shelters, and public pathways, among others