(a) The Safety Service Director is authorized to abate any unauthorized encampment from public property.
(b) Unauthorized encampments that pose an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public shall receive priority abatement.
(c) Unauthorized encampments, receiving priority abatement, by order of the Safety Service Director, may be abated for any of following reasons:
(1) The encampment presents an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public.
(2) City staff has reasonable, articulable, detailed evidence-based facts the encampment is being used for ongoing criminal activity.
(3) City staff has reasonable, articulable, detailed evidence-based facts the encampment is being used for an ongoing personal business or activity associated with the manufacturing, repair, or development of goods or services.
(4) City staff has reasonable, articulable, detailed evidence-based facts the encampment has been abandoned for seven days or more.
(5) There are evidence-based facts of intentional property damage caused by the occupants of the unauthorized encampment.
(6) There are evidence-based facts of unauthorized use of privately owned property or public infrastructure to physically support a structure used for human habitation, i.e., using a fence to support a lean-to structure.
(7) The location of the unauthorized encampment creates any fire hazard due to proximity of the encampment to nearby grass or treelined areas during extreme dry conditions as determined by Greenville Fire Department.
(8) The unauthorized encampment is in a park facility, open space, natural area, or trail not specifically designated or authorized for overnight camping.
(9) The unauthorized encampment is on public property posted with "No Trespass," "No Overnight Camping," or "No Camping" signs.
(10) Encampment locations that interfere with, obstruct, or prevent maintenance of public property by City employees.
(d) Evidence-based facts must be in writing and must provide an explanation of the factual basis for any decision of the Safety Service Director to issue an order to abate an unauthorized encampment.
(e) (1) The City will offer to store personal property, in a designated storage container at a designated storage location, for persons of abated encampments, subject to reasonable limitations as determined by the Safety Service Director, for a period of fourteen days. If said persons fail to claim personal property stored by the City within fourteen days of the City's possession, the City may dispose of the personal property in any manner consistent with existing law.
(2) Upon receipt of clear and documented consent from an occupant of an unauthorized encampment that has been or will be abated, a temporary storage area may be utilized for personal property for no more than twenty-four hours subsequent to abatement. Personal property placed in a temporary storage area in excess of twenty-four hours subsequent to abatement shall be stored by the City at a designated location for a period of fourteen days. If said persons fail to claim personal property stored by the City within fourteen days of the City's possession, the City may dispose of the personal property in any manner consistent with existing law.
(f) The Safety Service Director may promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations to effectuate the intent of this Chapter. Any rule or regulation must be made available to the public and the City Clerk shall maintain a copy of said rules or regulations for public inspection.
(Ord. 22-102. Passed 9-6-22.)