Broken Arrow, OK Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective
- August 19, 2025
- Applies to
- public places and private property
- Property threshold
- exceeds 3x3x3-foot container
- Offense class
- Class B
- Pre-citation step
- written warning required
Summary
Broken Arrow prohibits camping in any public place or on private property citywide without written permission, following a 2025 anti-encampment ordinance.
(a) Encampment in a public place located within the City of Broken Arrow without the verifiable permission of the city council, the city manager, or their designee, or of an authorized officer of the specific public school district, Tulsa County, the State of Oklahoma, or the federal government, as applicable based on which public entity owns, manages, or controls the public place, is prohibited and unlawful. The prohibition stated in this subsection (a) shall not apply to an encampment located in a public place if the encampment has been authorized by statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, permit, resolution, executive order, or any other official action.
(b) Encampment on private property without the verifiable permission of the record owner or other person in lawful possession of such property is prohibited and unlawful.
( Ord. No. 3893 , § I, 8-19-2025)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 43).
Full Breakdown
Broken Arrow Code § 16-70, adopted August 19, 2025, prohibits 'encampment', pitching a tent or temporary shelter, using a heating device, or amassing personal property beyond a 3x3x3-foot container, in any public place (parks, sidewalks, rights-of-way, transit facilities) without verifiable written permission from the city council, city manager, or the controlling public entity. It separately prohibits encampment on private property without the record owner's permission. Before citing or arresting under § 16-73, officers must first give a written warning (or post one at the site) and allow reasonable time to comply; the warning must include information on available shelter, medical, and treatment services in Broken Arrow, Tulsa County.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 16-70 is a class B offense; officers must issue a written warning and reasonable compliance window under § 16-73 before citing or arresting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police arrest immediately for camping?
Does this cover Tulsa County land, too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broken Arrow
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