Broward County, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Broward County Code § 21-2
- Warning required
- Verbal and written, before citation
- Third violation penalty
- Up to 60 days jail, $500 fine
- Vehicle exception
- Registered, insured, lawfully parked vehicles exempt
- Municipal override
- Void where a city's ordinance conflicts
Summary
Broward County bans regularly camping or sleeping on any public property countywide, requires a verbal and written warning before citation, and channels adults into a civil citation program instead of straight arrest.
No person may regularly engage in public camping or sleeping on any public property, including, but not limited to, any public building or its grounds and any public right-of-way under the jurisdiction of the County. ... Prior to arrest or citation, the individual allegedly in violation of this section must be given a verbal and written warning against public camping or sleeping and, if the individual ceases public camping or sleeping after being given both such warnings, this will serve as an affirmative defense against prosecution.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 21-2 of the Broward County Code bars anyone from regularly camping or sleeping on public property, including public buildings, grounds, and rights-of-way. A tent, bedding, or stored belongings outdoors overnight counts as camping; sleeping in a lawfully parked, registered vehicle does not. Before any arrest or citation, the County must give a verbal and written warning; stopping after both warnings is a legal defense. Adults are normally diverted into the Adult Civil Citation Program (Sec. 21-3) rather than prosecuted outright. The ban does not apply inside any municipality that has adopted a conflicting ordinance.
Violations & Fines
First offense is a citation, typically routed to the Adult Civil Citation Program; if prosecuted criminally instead, it's a misdemeanor fine up to $500. A third violation within two years raises the criminal penalty to up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Can Broward cite someone the first time they're found camping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.