SEATTLE -- A King County judge ruled Thursday that there is no constitutional basis for the city of Bothell to shut down a controversial homeless camp on church property.

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The city argued that the camp needs a land use permit, and it sought a King County Superior Court order to require the organizers to follow the rules.

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Saint Brendan's Catholic Church said it is free to open the camp without a permit as a matter of religious freedom.

Lawyers for each side were arguing over whether the church should be required to put up a $1 million bond in case something goes wrong and who should pay for police overtime, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

Both sides agreed police should be allowed access to the camp.

About 80 people are living at the camp, which opened May 17 after moving from Seattle. Neighborhood opposition prevent the camp from opening as planned on King County property south of Bothell.

City officials say there have been numerous problems with residents. Five people have been arrested at or near the camp in the past three weeks.

Some neighbors also complain there were given no say in the decision to locate the camp on the property, which is near three schools.

The Seattle group that organizes tent cities, Share-Wheel, says they are needed because of inadequate shelters for the homeless.