The Sturgis City Council has passed the first reading of its revised residential camping ordinance after months of work. City Attorney Eric Davis says the update isn’t perfect and won’t please everyone, but he calls it a major improvement over both the current rules and earlier, more restrictive drafts.
Davis says the proposal materially expands lawful camping rights while using what he describes as the lightest regulatory touch the city can reasonably apply. He says it also aligns Sturgis more closely with state regulations and gives the city a framework that’s more realistic to administer, more rational to defend, and easier for the council to adjust over time.
The ordinance allows residential camping at three camping units with up to ten campers during both rally and non‑rally periods before a free permit is required. It also allows a more permissive parking setup, letting motorcycles and passenger vehicles tied to camping activity park on the street where otherwise lawful.
The council will continue refining the ordinance before it returns for a second reading and possible final approval.
