1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Harris County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Harris County has no countywide sit-lie ordinance regulating sitting or sleeping on public sidewalks. Texas counties have very limited authority to criminalize encampments. The Sheriff uses general criminal trespass and Texas Penal Code obstruction statutes. Houston enforces its own anti-encampment ordinances inside city limits.
Texas 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 persons,...
1 cities in Harris County have their own homelessness & encampment rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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