CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council took a key step March 4 toward adopting an ordinance prohibiting individuals from living in vehicles on public property, citing concerns over safety and quality of life.
The ordinance, an expansion of the city’s existing ban on public camping, is designed to balance enforcement with outreach services for those experiencing homelessness, officials said.
“The goal of the presented ordinance is to have a balanced approach to helping people experiencing homelessness secure housing while continuing to reduce the impacts of homelessness on the community,” said Mandy Mills, the city’s Housing and Homeless Services director.
The measure comes amid a sharp rise in vehicle homelessness in Carlsbad. Between the city’s 2023 and 2024 “Point-in-Time” homeless counts, the number of individuals living in vehicles nearly doubled from 29 to 56. Regionally, there was a 44% increase over the same period, according to city data.
The ordinance would prohibit vehicle camping on city-owned or public entity-operated property, including streets, highways, beaches, parks, parking lots, and sidewalks. It would also extend to private streets in homeowners’ associations.
“This is not about criminalizing homelessness, but rather ensuring public safety and encouraging compliance from those who decline assistance,” Assistant City Attorney Jennifer True said. “Enforcement will continue to be paired with outreach, shelter access, and supportive services to ensure a compassionate response.”
Carlsbad has secured multiple grants to address homelessness, including a $2.3 million grant focused on encampments in the Village and Barrio area and an $11.4 million joint grant with Oceanside to aid individuals living along state Route 78. Most recently, the city received a $2.9 million state grant to transition 112 individuals from vehicle homelessness into stable housing.
The city’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), which includes six officers and a sergeant, will be responsible for enforcement, said Police Chief Christie Calderwood. Officers will emphasize social services and issue progressive warnings before resorting to citations.
“Our main goal is to end unlawful behavior and connect people to available services and resources,” Calderwood said. “When services are refused, warnings are ignored, or the violation is egregious, citations and arrests remain an available tool for officers.”
The city also works with local motels that accept pets and has a contract with the Humane Society for temporary pet boarding, Mills said, in response to concerns over individuals with pets living in vehicles.
The Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission previously recommended that the City Council explore a more holistic citywide approach to overnight parking, including designated safe parking areas. However, Mills noted that public feedback during outreach efforts indicated opposition to safe parking options in Carlsbad.
Public comments at the meeting were mixed, with some residents calling for safe parking while others supported stricter regulations.
“I recognize that the housing commission staff has done amazing work,” resident Vanessa Forsythe said. “My concern is in talking to people who are unsheltered, that a lot of them do reside in their vehicles because they can’t find a home … that we not make it a criminal offense for people to reside in their cars.”
Another resident, Lori Robin, backed the ordinance, stating, “This ordinance will provide a fair and equitable solution for the entire town, instead of just going street by street like we have in the past.”
Carlsbad’s proposed policy follows recent updates in nearby cities. Chula Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista have amended or enforced their unlawful camping ordinances in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which overturned prior restrictions on public camping bans.
The ordinance requires a second reading before final adoption. Once approved, it would take effect 30 days later. The council also directed staff to provide updates on enforcement and outreach efforts in its semi-annual homelessness report.
“We’ve been known to be a city that has led in terms of this particular issue,” Councilmember Priya Bhat-Patel said. “I think this is a very comprehensive and balanced approach to ensuring that we’re doing what we can to get folks connected, but also ensuring that we maintain our overall quality of life.”
