Missoula’s Urban Camping Rules vs. Bozeman’s Tough Ban

Bozeman’s at it again. This week, they formally implemented their ban on camping in the city, which, depending on whom you ask, is either a major victory for cleaning up the city or just another maneuver to push people out. No more tents on city streets, starting this Oct. 1st. Disobey, and you could end up facing fines of as much as $500 and even some jail time. Yep, because that’s what “solving homelessness” looks like: giving tickets to people who have no money.

What Bozeman’s Ban Really Means

In the interest of fairness, city officials are saying it previously reduced visible camps by 90 percent. The streets look cleaner, sure. But let’s not pretend that this changed anything. The vast majority of the people who were camping just got moved a few miles down the road or folded into one corner of town.

And we’re talking about Bozeman, the poster child for out-of-state money, crazy property values, and trying to be Aspen. Where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

What’s Missoula doing?

We’re already doing some of this in Missoula, but it’s not nearly as extreme. The city outlawed camping in public parks, and that comes with a fine. Ours is a $50 slap on the wrist compared to Bozeman’s $500 hammer. We also created buffer zones, no tents by trails, or schools, or shelters, or businesses. And you have to take your tent down during the day. Now the city is giving permits for vehicle camping, so people aren’t parked on the same block all year.

Where I’m At on This

I’m going to be the first to say it: I don’t love this idea of people sitting on a city street, parked for weeks and calling it home. But I also know that it is getting harder and harder every single day to afford a place to live here in Montana. Missoula’s no exception.

Bozeman’s method seems like a one-two punch of overkill: criminalize it, clean it up, and pat ourselves on the back. Missoula’s attempting the middle ground: regulate it, manage it, and at least pretend we’re making room for people. Neither is perfect. The next time Missoula is tempted to “go Bozeman,” it had better be accompanied by more shelter beds, affordable housing and real support. Otherwise, we’re just sweeping people out of sight and patting ourselves on the back.