Pittsburgh City Council is considering new zoning changes to create specific areas within the city designated for homeless encampments.

The proposed changes introduced Monday would allow the city to create a “temporary managed community” where people who are experiencing homelessness could have access to temporary or permanent structures to use as shelter. Such camps could have no more than 50 residents at any given time and would have to include access to restrooms and bathing facilities.

For a site to receive the temporary managed community designation under the legislation, the owner of the property would have to apply for a zoning permit. The city would host a community meeting ahead of any application approval. All applicants would be required to include a written record of the meeting, a summary of any follow-up plans with the community, and a site plan that shows the site meets all the zoning requirements.

The legislation was referred on Monday to the Planning Commission for its report and recommendation. After that, it would return to City Council for further discussion. The proposed zoning changes come as temperatures drop and Pittsburgh shelters have begun preparing to open at maximum capacity to accommodate as many people experiencing homelessness as possible. Multiple people spoke in favor of the legislation during a City Council session on Monday, but some made further suggestions.