Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council expressed support for a new pilot program that allows people experiencing homelessness to use recreational vehicles (RVs) and other vehicles as temporary housing on private property.
Community Development Director Tim Smith presented the program to the city council at a meeting on Aug. 25.
He said the program was created in response to “council expressing interest in providing additional opportunities for RVs to be used for temporary shelter during (the) housing crisis.”
Olympia already allows vehicles camping on city streets under an ordinance adopted in 2024. The policy requires vehicles to move every 24 hours and maintain separation from other camping vehicles.
The new pilot program creates an alternative by allowing qualifying vehicles to remain on private property with a city-issued emergency housing permit.
“This pilot program provides an alternative,” said Smith, explaining that vehicles could be located either on or off the street on private property with the property owner’s permission.
Under the proposed rules, a single-family home or duplex could have one vehicle in its driveway. Faith-based properties, such as churches, could accommodate up to two vehicles if the vehicles are located on a paved parking surface.
Properties governed by homeowners associations that prohibit the use would not be eligible for a permit.
The city would issue permits without a fee, initially valid for six months. They could be renewed if the city determines that the permit conditions are being met.
The city is also imposing several safeguards. People living in the vehicles would have to have access to a restroom outside the vehicle, such as a restroom in the home or church hosting them or a portable toilet.
RVs would not be allowed to connect to septic systems, although they could connect to a residential sewer cleanout. Outdoor storage, garbage and rubbish associated with the vehicle would also be prohibited.
Smith emphasized the program is intended for people who genuinely need a vehicle as their primary home. The city plans to add language requiring clear evidence that the RV is being used as an occupant’s primary residence, rather than functioning as an informal accessory dwelling unit or temporary accommodation for visiting relatives.
Another proposed requirement would prohibit property owners from charging rent for the parking space. The space must instead be offered free of charge to the person living in the vehicle.
Council members welcomed the pilot program, but raised questions about how residents and vehicle occupants would learn about it.
Council member Robert Vanderpool asked whether people experiencing homelessness could receive easy-to-understand information about the program when they encounter city staff or homelessness response workers.
Smith said the city’s code enforcement and homeless response teams could distribute information. He noted the city has already contacted some people, who had previously provided testimony about the issue.
Council member Kelly Green also asked how neighbors would know whether a vehicle was legally permitted rather than simply parked at a property without authorization.
Smith replied the city would notify adjacent property owners when permits are issued. He said the city could place information about permits in its internal system so staff could quickly determine whether a vehicle was authorized.
Council members suggested creating a visible permit that could be displayed in the vehicle’s window, potentially reducing unnecessary code enforcement calls and interactions. Smith said the city could explore that option.
City Manager Jay Burney said the city’s homeless response team already has regular contact with people living in RVs and other vehicles. That team could help determine whether a permitted vehicle is being used as intended and connect occupants with longer term services.
The pilot is not intended to become permanent immediately. According to Smith, the city could evaluate the program after six months to a year, looking at its successes, failures and how the permitting process is working.
Depending on the results, the city could continue the program, end it, or possibly incorporate it permanently into Olympia Municipal Code.
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TheVirtualOne
Another “great idea” from the numbskull city council. A “pilot program” that will accomplish absolutely nothing.
Thursday, September 3 Report this
Tanker1982
Oh yes it will, neighbors will riot. Sign up for this as a homeowner, or faith based agency and see what happens. The city offers “suck it up”. Well, that ain’t got work in any neighborhood I know of. Especially with kids. Stupid
Thursday, September 3 Report this
MrCommonSense
Roving RVs moving every 24 hours around the City simply ensures the RV (usually in horrible condition) is mobile. At a minimum, the City should require a permit and registration which can be revoked immediately if there are complaints, illegal drug use, etc. It should also ensure that the RV is safe, has a current licensed and registration and the owner is the occupant.
Homeowners/churches and others allowing RVs and "non-residents" living on their property might want to check with their insurance company to ensure any injury, damage, fire or crime issues caused by the occupant are covered. I can envision lots of legal issues if things don't go well. If a person is allowed to stay on a property, even with $0 rent, can that person then say they have an on-going legal right to be there? Does there any legal document executed between the property owner and the occupant(s) so they won't be able to have a legal claim to stay? And how do you get them to move if the person(s) refuse? I see the potential for a long legal process.
Seems like the City is not solving but perpetuating the homeless problem. All the staff time and money being spent on these half-baked ideas doesn't seem like money well spent. Spend it on permanent and not temporary housing. And insist on drug treatment.
Thursday, September 3 Report this
gypsydjango
Thanks, finally a somewhat humane temporary help to these people. It will make a difference for a lot of them. Maybe someday they'll get in to "affordable housing"...........
Thursday, September 3 Report this
MartyKenney
I think this is a great first step. I think the other commenters have bad images in their heads of what this will turn out to be, but they probably live in nice houses that won’t need to have an rv on it. For those experiencing homelessness in an Rv this can be a HUGE relief and break from the ruthless grind of homelessness. I like what the article is laying out and the questions the Councilmembers are bringing up, I think this could go really well. Again, pilot program… great way to start a very complicated process. Maybe if VirtualOne doesn’t like it he can share his feedback with the city and shape the future of the pilot program?
Friday, September 4 Report this
chrispc2u
It’s as ludicrous as giving permits for full time professionals bums to live in their cars, a plan the city council also approved. Seriously, is this what you want visitors to Olympia to know us by? Where are they going to dump their sewage and their trash that they’re already dumping on the Western Chehalis trail? The longer you enable these people the less motivated they’re going to be to get out of the situation they put themselves in. And get the mentally ill and drug addicted off are city streets. They look like zombies and may as well be scare crows for local commerce. Covid is OVER. Clean up the city! It’s the state capital!
Friday, September 4 Report this
Co_Opal
Are they providing extra police patrols for the drug activity, extra staff to go around a pick up the ungodly amount of garbage that piles up around the RV, and some one to empty their tanks so they won't dump it down the storm drains and into our water ways? This happens on nearly a monthly basis on my street and I'm tired of it. and now they get to do it. Great Job Oly.
Friday, September 4 Report this
Snevets
Thank you@MartyKenney. I agree, it's a pilot program.
Friday, September 4 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Sounds good. My only suggestion is a property owner should be able to charge a wee bit of rent, say $50.00 to $100.00 a month to cover increased utilities costs.
Friday, September 4 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Now commentary
Tanker1982. I am a home owner in NE Olympia and I am sure if I asked my neighbors they would be cool with it. Also too, it's my property to do with as I chose.
MrCommonSense Your questions about insurance & liability are good ones.
chrispc2u Professional bums? That's not a thing.
Friday, September 4 Report this
TheVirtualOne
City Council: Look forward to hearing the results of “the pilot.” You are measuring the impact and results, right?
Friday, September 4 Report this
BettyVerdammt
Council cooks up rental registry evasion scheme. Driveway favela pilot program opens the RV door to a new slumlord gig economy. Council's pet planner chirps "next step is to allow mobile homes to use driveways as trailer park pads! We will double rental capacity, drug manufacture, *** trafficking, and shooting galleries in Olympia."
Saturday, September 5 Report this
Somney
When people who are not unhoused complain about how those who are unhoused affects them…at the same time a massive erosion of every system brings many more people closer to being closer to be in a similar situation.
Monday, September 7 Report this
Dtcooper
This is an attempt by the city to "look like they are working to help", first; not allowing property owners to charge rent? Who does the city think they are to regulate fee for use when they are charging for a permit ? So only the city can benefit? 2nd; rv' s equipped with holding tanks for waste water Should be able to pull into a public dumping site as needed , but to require the use of the residential bathroom facilities is absurd, who wants foot traffic thru their home? Its just one more time the government picks away at our rights & liberties. Its a property that you own , you're providing a solution to a community problem and the city creates outrageous rules. Its bad enough HOA's run neighborhoods like dictatorships. Less government control, hold on to the right to own property. Tell the city to use their property with their rules, let private landowners manage their property there's enough regulations already.
Thursday, September 10 Report this