Collier County, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 94-1, Camping near Gulf of Mexico
- Applies to
- All unincorporated Collier County public property
- Residential exception
- Allowed only with owner's consent
- Shelter-first rule
- Officer must offer transport before citing
- Maximum fine
- $500.00 plus possible jail time
- Original ordinance
- Ord. No. 74-7, amended by Ord. No. 2008-65
Summary
Collier County bans camping, defined as sleeping outdoors, sheltering outdoors, or cooking over an open flame, on all public property in the unincorporated county, and on residential property without the owner's consent. Sec. 94-1 requires deputies to offer transport to an open shelter bed before any citation, and a person who accepts transport cannot be charged.
(a)Camping defined. For the purpose of this section, "camping" is defined as:(1)Sleeping or otherwise being in a temporary shelter out-of-doors; or(2)Sleeping out-of-doors; or(3)Cooking over an open flame or fire out-of-doors.(b)Camping prohibited, exceptions.(1)Camping is prohibited on all public property within the unincorporated area of Collier County, except as may be specifically authorized by the appropriate governmental authority.(2)Camping is prohibited on all property within the unincorporated area of Collier County used for residential purposes; however, that camping is permitted on such property with the permission and consent of the property owner. ... (d)Penalties. Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail as provided for in F.S. § 125.69.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 126 | Land Development Code: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 94-1, first adopted by Ord. No. 74-7 and rewritten by Ord. No. 2008-65, defines 'camping' as sleeping or otherwise being in a temporary shelter outdoors, sleeping outdoors, or cooking over an open flame outdoors. Two separate bans apply: camping is prohibited on all public property in unincorporated Collier County unless a government authority specifically permits it, and camping is prohibited on residential property unless the property owner consents. Because Naples, Marco Island and Everglades City are separately incorporated, this section reaches only the unincorporated remainder of the county, including Golden Gate, Immokalee, East Naples, Naples Manor and Golden Gate Estates.
Before anyone can be cited, a law enforcement officer with probable cause of a violation must tell the person about the violation and offer to arrange transportation to a public shelter. If a bed is open and the person accepts the ride, no citation follows; if a bed is open and the person refuses to go, the officer can charge the violation; if no bed is open anywhere, the section cannot be enforced at all that night. 69, the general county-ordinance penalty statute, and the two can be combined. The section cross-references park-use rules at Sec. J. Janes Memorial Scenic Drive under Sec. 110-2, and public beach access rules under Sec. 146-61.
Violations & Fines
Violating Sec. 94-1 is punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 or jail under the general penalty statute, F.S. § 125.69, and a court can impose both. But no citation can issue at all if every shelter bed is full that night, and none can issue against someone who accepts a deputy's offer of transport to an available bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleeping outside illegal anywhere in Collier County?
Can I camp in my own backyard in Collier County?
What has to happen before someone can be ticketed for camping outdoors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Collier County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Collier County to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
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