HAGERSTOWN – In a unanimous vote during a special session, the Hagerstown City Council passed a new ordinance prohibiting outdoor lodging on public property. The law aims to provide city police with an additional enforcement tool to address concerns about public safety, drug activity and homelessness in specific areas of the city.
The ordinance, officially added to the city code as Chapter 173-32, makes it unlawful for individuals to sleep outdoors in public areas owned by the city. It does not apply to private, county or state property, and enforcement is limited to the Hagerstown Police Department. A sunset clause included in the measure requires the council to revisit the ordinance six months after its effective date.
Several council members acknowledged that the city already had ordinances on the books to address related issues but agreed this measure offers a more direct option in urgent situations. The ordinance is intended to address disruptive behaviors in shared public spaces and is not meant to criminalize homelessness.
Councilman Kristin B. Aleshire, who previously opposed the measure, changed his position after what he described as extensive conversations with residents, business owners and community advocates.
“I believe we must balance compassion with responsibility,” Aleshire said. “We cannot and should not arrest our way out of complex social issues, but we also cannot ignore the impact these challenges are having on our community.”
City leaders discussed the ordinance as part of a broader conversation about public health, business sustainability and neighborhood safety. Earlier in the day, they met with department directors to brainstorm broader organizational strategies. These included exploring new partnerships with county agencies, investing in outreach and recovery efforts, and reviewing enforcement practices around trespassing and drug activity.
In the coming months, city staff will monitor the implementation of the ordinance and gather data to inform the required review process. Several council members also expressed interest in hosting public forums to solicit feedback before the six-month expiration deadline.
“This is not a punishment,” Aleshire said. “It’s a commitment to ensuring public spaces are welcoming, clean and safe while we continue to invest in outreach, recovery and housing resources.”
The ordinance officially went into effect upon passage and will remain in place until its scheduled review in early 2026.
