Tuesday, September 24, 2024–8:20 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Floyd County Commission has approved an ordinance addressing urban camping and the improper use of public areas.

Following recent discussions regarding the homelessness issue in the city, the county was asked to look at putting some ordinances into place.

“It defines what camping is–which is the use of it for living, and accommodation purposes, such a sleeping, etc., on public property,” said Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord. It prohibits camping is a public area and if it interferes with the ingress and egress of any building, private property or public area, including a property owner’s access to the right away. It allows designated campgrounds, when otherwise authorized by county and allows county to authorize these activities.”

The ordinance also requires a warning for a first offense, as long as the person promptly complies.

“It also allows for the removal of property if a citation is issued which being stored at an unauthorized location for camping,” McCord added. “It basically mirrors the city of Rome ordinance which is similar. We do not have as much of an issue with this as the urbanized areas, although we do have a couple urbanized areas in unincorporated Floyd County.”