Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Fort Worth, TX (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Fort Worth, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Fort Worth does not ban sitting or lying on sidewalks outright. Under City Code § 30-5, blocking a street or sidewalk becomes unlawful only when a group refuses a police officer's order to move on or disperse.
Fort Worth Sidewalk Obstruction and Move-On Rule
Light RestrictionsFort Worth, TX Code of Ordinances § 30-5
It shall be unlawful for any grouping or assemblage of persons, whose standing, remaining or congregating upon any public street or sidewalk shall obstruct, prevent or interfere with the free or unobstructed use of such street or sidewalk by other persons, to fail or refuse to move on or to disperse upon being ordered to do so by any police officer of the city or other peace officer.
Encampment Sanitation
Fort Worth bans unauthorized camping on private property citywide. Section 23-21 makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine, to camp on residential or non-residential private property, in a vehicle, tent, or any other form of transitory shelter, without the property owner's written authorization.
Fort Worth Unauthorized Camping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFort Worth City Code § 23-21(b)
(b) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to camp upon any: (1) Non-residential private property without possessing authorization of the property owner or the owner's agent; (2) Residential private property that has no permanent dwelling, or that is lacking a potable water source and toilet facilities, without possessing authorization of the property owner or the owner's agent;...
Looking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Worth city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Tarrant County →