Newsom Urges Cities to Enforce 3-Day Rule on Homeless Encampments

Governor calls for statewide adoption of model ordinance amid $3.3B in new mental health funding

May 20, 2025 | Sacramento, CA — California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing cities and counties across the state to adopt a model ordinance that would prohibit homeless encampments from remaining in the same public location for more than 72 hours. Announced during a virtual press conference on May 12, the proposed policy is part of a broader effort to address growing concerns around public safety, sanitation, and the humanitarian crisis linked to California’s estimated 187,000 unhoused residents.

The ordinance would:

• Ban camping in the same location for more than three consecutive days

• Prohibit the construction of semi-permanent structures, such as makeshift shacks

• Prevent camps from obstructing sidewalks, streets, and other public rights-of-way

“No More Excuses,” Newsom Says

Governor Newsom stressed that while the ordinance is not mandatory, local jurisdictions failing to act could face financial consequences, particularly in upcoming budget allocations.

“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom said. “Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered. Now, we’re giving them a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care. The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”

The announcement follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which gave municipalities broader legal authority to ban public camping even if there’s a lack of shelter beds. That decision overturned years of legal protections for unhoused individuals, significantly changing the legal landscape for cities and counties across the Western U.S.

Backed by New Funding from Proposition 1

Newsom’s directive comes alongside a major financial commitment tied to Proposition 1, a $6.4 billion mental health bond approved by voters in March. The governor’s office announced that $3.3 billion from that fund will be used to create:

• Over 5,000 residential behavioral health treatment beds

• More than 21,800 outpatient treatment slots

These resources are aimed at supporting the most vulnerable unhoused populations—those struggling with severe mental illness and addiction.

Guidelines for Humane Enforcement

Newsom emphasized that enforcement of the ordinance must be handled with care. Cities must:

• Provide at least 48 hours' notice before clearing an encampment

• Offer shelter and services as a first option

• Store and return any personal belongings confiscated during sweeps

He also warned against blanket camping bans in areas lacking adequate shelter space, calling instead for “right-sized” policies that balance public safety with compassion.

Support and Skepticism

Some city leaders have welcomed the governor’s push. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who supports stronger enforcement policies, praised Newsom’s initiative.

“It’s great to have the Governor pushing alongside us to end the era of encampments,” Mahan said. “To get the job done, we will need his leadership to ensure that every city provides its fair share of shelter options and every county does the same for mental health and addiction treatment beds.”

However, homelessness advocates have raised concerns. Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, warned that forced relocations could undermine progress.

“We know that disrupting people, making them move every two or three days, disrupting them from the outreach workers who are desperately trying to engage with them and build their trust — it just makes things worse,” Kushel said.

She added that many shelters are often inaccessible to those with pets, partners, or belongings—and that the lack of affordable housing remains the core problem.

Cities Struggle With Limited Resources

The League of California Cities has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of enforcing such ordinances without additional state funding for implementation.

“When it comes to addressing homelessness, the question is not how many cities have encampment ordinances,” said Carolyn Coleman, CEO of the League, “it is whether cities have the ongoing funding from the state to match the scale of the crisis.”

Newsom’s January budget draft included no new allocations for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program (HHAP), the primary funding channel for local governments. However, he suggested that any new money will come with strings attached—namely, accountability measures related to encampment enforcement.

Background: A Tougher Statewide Approach

Newsom’s model ordinance is the latest move in a broader effort that began last year when he ordered state agencies to clear encampments on state property. Since then, dozens of municipalities have adopted or strengthened anti-camping laws.

Approaches vary widely:

• San Diego bans camping on public property when shelter beds are available and enforces strict no-camping zones near parks, schools, and shelters.

• Fresno prohibits camping, sitting, or lying on public property at all times.

Still, enforcement challenges remain. Many citations result in missed court dates or dropped charges, and advocates argue that criminalizing homelessness can further entrench the cycle of poverty.

Summary

Governor Gavin Newsom is urging California cities to adopt a 3-day rule to address homeless encampments, backed by billions in new funding from Proposition 1. The policy, while not mandatory, is intended to pressure local governments into action and reduce the visibility of homelessness across the state. While supported by some city leaders, the plan faces criticism from advocates concerned about health impacts, displacement, and the ongoing shortage of shelter and housing.

Sources:

• Governor’s Office Press Release, May 12, 2025

• CalMatters, May 2025

• WSWS, May 2025

• The New York Times, May 2025

• LAist, May 2025