Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Winter Haven, FL (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Winter Haven, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Winter Haven's Sit-Lie Ordinance of 2023 bars sitting or lying on a public sidewalk between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in a way that blocks pedestrian passage, and bars the same at entryways to open public buildings. City Code § 15-420 lists seven exceptions, including medical emergencies, permitted events and sidewalk cafes.
Winter Haven Sidewalk Sit-Lie Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsWinter Haven Code of Ordinances § 15-420
(d)Prohibitions.(1)No person shall sit or lie upon a publicly owned sidewalk between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., in such a manner as to obstruct the free passage of persons.(2)No person shall sit or lie upon the entryways to or exitways from a publicly owned building, when the building is open to the general public, in such a manner as to obstruct free passage of persons entering or ...
Encampment Sanitation
Sec. 15-282(14) bars camping in a Winter Haven park outside permanent, supervised organized-camp cabins, including setting up a tent, shack or other temporary shelter, and it separately bars leaving a house trailer, camp trailer or similar movable structure in a park overnight after closing hours. Park staff can eject or bar violators under Sec. 15-289.
Winter Haven Public Park Camping Ban
Significant RestrictionsWinter Haven Code of Ordinances § 15-282(14)
(14)Camping. Camp in other than permanent cabins for organized camping, provided by the director and used by groups of persons under adequate supervision. No person shall set up tents, shacks, or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, nor shall any person leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Winter Haven city rules.
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