Unauthorized Camping Policy

The City of Peoria Community Development Department works closely with the homeless street outreach teams, the Peoria Police Department, and city contractors to clean up any encampments on public property.

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, City Council passed an ordinance banning unauthorized camping on public property. Camping and storing personal property in public spaces is prohibited.

City Staff Contact Street Outreach Teams
The City of Peoria will contact street outreach teams before staff visit the encampment. Staff will inform the street outreach teams of the date the abatement notice will be posted. This provides social service agencies and encampment occupants time to find alternative shelter arrangements.

City Staff Notice the Encampment
Code Enforcement staff will place an abatement notice at the encampment notifying occupants that camping on public property is prohibited and that their personal property will be removed no sooner than 48 hours following the posting of the notice. Personal property removed from the site will be stored for 30 days. Community Development staff will offer a community resources flyer including emergency shelter information, food pantry information, and other resources.

If any occupants are still present 48 hours following the notice, the Peoria Police Department will issue each person a citation. The citation amount increases with subsequent violations within a 180-day period after the first offense.

First Violation (within 180 days): $50 - $100

Second Violation (within 180 days): $100 - $250

Third Violation (within 180 days): $250- $750 and possible incarceration

City Staff and Contractors Return to Remove Occupants and Personal Property
Community Development staff will return to the site after the 48-hour notice period with the street outreach teams, the Peoria Police Department, and a city contractor to clean up all items. City staff will dispose of any perishable items, debris, contraband, or materials that pose a danger to the health and safety of the person or environment.

Personal Property Removed and Stored for 30 Days
Personal items will be labeled and stored for 30 days by city staff. Staff will provide each property owner that is present at the time of abatement with a claim number. All personal items will be labeled with the property owner’s claim number. Material that is not identified as belonging to a property owner will be stored for 30 days and logged with reference to the location and date of abatement.

Items can be reclaimed by contacting the Housing Coordinator or by coordinating with the street outreach teams. All items not claimed within 30 days will be considered abandoned and any ownership rights will be considered forfeited.

Permanent Signs Banning Unauthorized Camping or Storage of Personal Property
City staff will post a permanent sign at a former encampment site following a cleanup. The sign shall provide notice that camping or storage of personal property is prohibited on public property within 50 feet of the sign.

City staff may post permanent signs at locations where no occupant or personal property is present.

After a permanent sign has been posted for 10 days, the restrictions may be immediately enforced and anyone found camping within 50 feet of the permanent sign may be subject to citation and may have their personal property removed and stored for 30 days with no additional notice.

How to Help
Any group or individual interested in working with the Community Development Department to help transition people from living in unauthorized encampments to safer, more permanent shelter should contact the Community Development Department at 309-494-8600 with a description of what services they can provide and their contact information.

Updated December 19, 2024