Homelessness & Encampment Rules in El Paso, TX (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for El Paso, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
El Paso restricts sitting, lying, or storing belongings on downtown sidewalks during business hours under public-conduct provisions of the El Paso Municipal Code. Enforcement is paired with EPPD outreach to El Paso Coalition for the Homeless services.
El Paso Sidewalk Obstruction Rules
Light RestrictionsTexas Penal Code Sec. 42.03 (Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway)
Sec. 42.03. OBSTRUCTING HIGHWAY OR OTHER PASSAGEWAY. (a) A person commits an offense if, without legal privilege or authority, he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:(1) obstructs a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, entrance, or exit to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access, or any other place used for the passage of perso...
Encampment Sanitation
El Paso outlaws camping in any city park, no tents, shacks, other shelters, or bedrolls, unless city council specifically approves it by resolution. City Code Section 13.24.060 makes this a flat prohibition tied to park property, separate from the statewide public-camping offense in Texas Penal Code Section 48.05.
El Paso City Park Camping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 13.24.060 (Camping)
A.No person shall camp in any city park, or set up any tent, shack, or other shelter, or lay out any bedroll or other sleeping equipment therein, except upon approval of the city council by resolution. This section does not apply to camping in permanent cabins or structures provided by the city for that purpose or to department produced activities or events.B.A person may make a request to the ...
Looking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Paso city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in El Paso County →