The City of Kamloops is collaborating with BC Housing, Interior Health, and various social agencies to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic for vulnerable populations in our community, including people experiencing homelessness, under-housed people, people with complex care needs, and/or people with mental health and substance use needs.
To support people living outdoors, the City is opening all washroom facilities with access to hot water and relaxing its enforcement of the Temporary Overnight Shelter Bylaw during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bylaw officers will monitor camps to promote site safety and cleanliness and ensure physical distancing protocols are followed.
Rules for Temporary Overnight Shelters During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shelter and property must be small and tidy
Shelters may only cover an area of less than 10 m² and must be free of garbage and excessive clutter.
No fires or smoking
Open flame (e.g. lighter, camp fire, candle) and smoking are not permitted.
Shelter must be small and detatched from other structures
Shelters may only cover an area of less than 10 m2 and may not adjoin, abut, or be connected to any other temporary overnight shelter.
A shelter is permitted within the areas shown on the map
View map
The City has created this map to highlight areas within Kamloops where a temporary overnight shelter is permitted. When the river is high in the spring, temporary shelters should be set up further up the banks.
A temporary shelter is NOT permitted on or near any playgrounds, pools, gardens, public lawns, sports facilities and fields, stages, bleachers, washrooms, picnic shelters, gazebos, cemeteries, pathways, driveways, roadways, lanes, bridges, docks, or boulevards, or any other offices, community and recreational facilities, parking lots, or parkades that are owned or controlled by the City of Kamloops.
Overnight shelter must be temporary
Temporary shelters include a tent or other shelter constructed from a tarp, plastic, or cardboard. As long as the rules listed above are followed, shelters can remain in place throughout the day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Failure to follow the rules may result in shelters being dismantled: Valuable items may be impounded, and garbage may be disposed of.
Day Locker Storage (Cllémentem)
48 Victoria Street West (across from City Hall)
Monday-Sunday, 11:00 am–5:00 pm
This service is no-cost storage of belongings and is limited to one bin per person. Washroom, shower, laundry, and mail services are also available. Clients must check in weekly. Operated by the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society.
