Seminole County, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Where the ban applies
- Any county building, grounds, or right-of-way
- Vehicle exception
- Registered, insured vehicle lawfully parked
- First trespass warning
- Up to 1 year
- Repeat trespass warning
- Up to 2 years
- Property storage period
- 30 days before deemed abandoned
- Appeal deadline
- 10 calendar days, written, to County Manager
Summary
Under Code Sec. 175.3, adopted per Florida's 2024 camping law (F.S. 125.0231), no one may camp or sleep overnight on any Seminole County property, building, or right-of-way. The Sheriff can issue trespass warnings under Sec. 175.4, escalating to arrest for repeat violations under F.S. 810.08-810.09.
Sec. 175.3. - Public camping or sleeping; prohibition. (a)In accordance with section 125.0231, Florida Statutes, it is the policy of the County that persons shall not be permitted to engage in public camping or sleeping, as defined in this section, on any County property...(c)No person may engage in public camping or sleeping on any County property, including, but not limited to, any County building or facility or its grounds, and any County right-of-way. ... Sec. 175.4. - Trespass on County property; warnings; appeal. (a)...Any person present on or within County property who violates the Seminole County Code of Ordinances or state law may be directed to leave the County property pursuant to section 810.08 or 810.09, Florida Statutes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 1 | Land Development Code: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
3, adopted by Ordinance No. ' The section defines 'public camping or sleeping' as lodging or residing overnight in a tent or other temporary shelter (evidenced by bedding, pillows, or stored belongings) or lodging overnight in an outdoor space with no shelter at all, while carving out overnight stays in a lawfully parked, registered, and insured vehicle and recreational camping in a designated camping area. Subsection (c) applies the ban to 'any County building or facility or its grounds, and any County right-of-way,' with the state statute's definitions controlling if there's ever a conflict with the county's own wording.
4 supplies the enforcement mechanism: Seminole County Sheriff's deputies may issue a written trespass warning limited to the specific county property where the violation occurred, after verbally informing the person they're on property that's closed to the public or where their invitation has been withdrawn. A first violation draws a warning of up to one year; a second or later violation, up to two years. 09, Florida Statutes. Personal property left behind is inventoried and stored for 30 days before being treated as abandoned, and every warning carries a right to appeal in writing to the County Manager within 10 calendar days, decided within 30 days with the county bearing the burden of proof.
Violations & Fines
Camping or sleeping on county property under Section 175.3 leads first to a Section 175.4 trespass warning, up to one year for a first offense and up to two years for a repeat one, rather than an immediate arrest. Returning to the property during an active warning is a trespassing offense under Section 810.08 or 810.09, Florida Statutes, subjecting the person to arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleeping outside illegal anywhere in Seminole County?
Can I sleep in my car instead?
What happens the first time someone is caught camping on county land?
What happens to a person's belongings when a camp is cleared?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seminole County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Seminole County to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
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