Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Odessa, TX (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Odessa, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Odessa makes it a class C misdemeanor to sleep or camp between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on any sidewalk, street, alley, or other public right-of-way, with belongings subject to removal as a nuisance.
Odessa Bans Sleeping or Camping on Sidewalks
Significant RestrictionsOdessa, TX City Code § 1-13-9 (Camping)
Camp or camping. Includes to stay or sleep in, or a property overnight (during the hours between 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) ... it is hereby declared to be a class C misdemeanor offense for a person to camp: ... (2) In, upon, or at a public right-of-way including a sidewalk, street, alley, highway, culvert, or any other public property.
Encampment Sanitation
Texas Penal Code § 48.05 makes it a Class C misdemeanor to camp on any public property in Odessa, streets, parks, or city land, without the managing agency's consent, and bars local officials from softening enforcement.
Odessa, Texas: Public Camping Banned Statewide
Few RestrictionsTexas Penal Code § 48.05(a), (b), (e)
"Camp" means to reside temporarily in a place, with shelter. ... A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly camps in a public place without the effective consent of the officer or agency having the legal duty or authority to manage the public place. ... An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.