Sarasota County, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Section 90-97 declares it unlawful and a violation of the Code for any person to knowingly Camp except as the Code otherwise provides. Camping is defined as lodging out-of-doors shown by laying down bedding such as a blanket, sleeping bag, bed roll, newspapers, or cardboard for sleeping, or by erecting, using, or occupying a tent, hut, lean-to, shack, temporary shelter, or hammock for sleeping. Before an officer can act on those elements, the section also requires observing an additional sign such as numerous personal belongings around the bedding, evidence of cooking or fires, digging, public urination or defecation, or the person being asleep.

Even then, an officer must give the person a chance to remove the bedding or shelter without camping again, confirm that Available Shelter exists, provide written details that the shelter is free, does not require sobriety, imposes no religious condition, does not require treatment, offers storage for belongings, and operates 24/7 except for maintenance, and then offer free transport to that shelter before enforcing the prohibition. Exceptions under § 90-97(4) cover County Park use during posted hours, County- or municipal-approved camping areas, permitted conduct, and camping with the County Administrator's permission.

A related sanitation article, § 90-98, separately bars storing personal property on Public Property or Right-of-Way beyond 24 hours and sets rules for handling and disposing of an unhoused person's belongings under Chapter 705, Florida Statutes. Ordinance No. 2017-052, adopted November 14, 2017, established this article.