Dallas City Code Section 31-13 prohibits camping, sleeping, or storing personal property on public sidewalks, parks, and rights-of-way, enforced by Dallas Police with diversion through the Office of Homeless Solutions and constitutional limits from Martin v. Boise.
Dallas's analog to Los Angeles LAMC 41.18 is City Code Section 31-13, which makes it unlawful to camp, sleep, or place tents and bedding on public property without permit. The Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) coordinates with Dallas Police, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and outreach providers including Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance to offer shelter placement before citation. Dallas applied Martin v. Boise after the 2018 Ninth Circuit ruling and post-Grants Pass guidance, generally declining to cite when shelter beds are unavailable. The OHS Street Outreach Team operates daily, and the Real Time Rapid Rehousing model targets chronically homeless individuals near Bridge Steps, Austin Street Center, and SoupMobile. Recent council action expanded prohibited zones near schools and Trinity River Corridor.
Section 31-13 camping is a Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 per occurrence. Personal property left on public ROW may be impounded after 72-hour notice under sanitation protocols, with a 90-day claim window before disposal.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions and Sanitation post 72-hour notices before clearing encampments, bagging personal property for 90-day storage, coordinati...
Dallas, TX
Dallas City Code Chapter 31 restricts sitting or lying on public sidewalks in central business district hours and near schools, but Martin v. Boise and the G...
See how Dallas's lamc §41.18 encampment rule rules stack up against other locations.
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