Reports to Council

Will Beatty, the City’s Community Services Manager, and Natasha Hartson, the City’s Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager, provided Council with a report regarding amendments to the temporary overnight sheltering regulations within Parks and Public Lands Bylaw No 35-66, 2026, and fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, 2026. The proposed amendments are intended to better protect the community from wildland-urban interface fire risks, establish appropriate buffer zones around areas frequented by children and families, and enhance the protection of critical infrastructure while continuing to provide clear and enforceable regulations for temporary overnight sheltering on public lands. Specific proposed amendments to Parks and Public Lands Bylaw No 35-66, 2026, include: 

• Adding “nature parks, linear parks, and open space areas” to the list of prohibited areas for temporary overnight sheltering.
• Establishing buffer zones prohibiting temporary overnight sheltering:
  • 25 m from playgrounds, waterparks, swimming pools, wading pools, or tot lots on public lands
  • 50 m from schools
  • 4 m from sidewalks, multi-use pathways, roads, bridges, or any form of transportation or active transportation infrastructure
• Establishing 10 m buffer zones around water intakes, reservoirs, lift stations, and any form of civic utilities infrastructure

• 25 m from playgrounds, waterparks, swimming pools, wading pools, or tot lots on public lands
• 50 m from schools
• 4 m from sidewalks, multi-use pathways, roads, bridges, or any form of transportation or active transportation infrastructure

Through the Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) initiative, partners from BC Housing, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Interior Health, social agencies, and the City are developing an Encampment Response Plan for Kamloops. The plan is intended to establish a coordinated and consistent approach to encampment response that prioritizes engagement, outreach, and connection to services. It will clarify roles and responsibilities, improve communication and coordination among partners, and support more proactive efforts to help individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness access shelter, housing, and other supports.

Council gave first, second, and third readings to Parks and Public Lands Amendment Bylaw No. 35-104, 2026, and Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 44-23, 2026, and both bylaws will be considered for adoption at a future Council meeting.

View the full report.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Contact for further information:
Will Beatty | [email protected] 
Natasha Hartson | [email protected] 

View the full Council Highlights for this meeting