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Centennial, CO Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Where banned
All City-owned property
Prior notice required
Oral warning before citation
Includes
Rights-of-way, trails, parks, SEMSWA land
Camping defined as
Sleeping, shelter, campfire, storage

Summary

Camping on any City-owned property in Centennial, rights-of-way, sidewalks, trails, parks, floodplains and open space, is unlawful unless the City specifically authorizes it, though a warning must be given before a citation issues.

(a)It is unlawful for any person to camp on any City-owned property, except as may be specifically authorized by the City.(b)No person shall be cited for a violation of this Article unless the person engages in conduct prohibited by this Section 10-14-30 after having been orally notified by a law enforcement officer that the conduct violates this Section.(c)Any person who violates this Section commits a minor offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than the maximum fine amount authorized in Section 1-4-10 of this Code. (Ord. 2019-O-21 §1)

Full Breakdown

Section 10-14-30(a) bans camping on any City-owned property except where the City specifically authorizes it. 'Camp or camping' is defined broadly in Section 10-14-20 to include sleeping or preparing to sleep, occupying a tent or other shelter, using a campfire or camp stove, and storing personal property outdoors. 'City-owned property' covers rights-of-way, streets, sidewalks, trails, parks and land managed by the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority. Subsection (b) requires a law enforcement officer to first orally notify a person that their conduct violates the section before a citation can issue.

Violations & Fines

A first violation triggers only an oral warning under Section 10-14-30(b); continuing after that warning is a minor offense punishable by the maximum fine under Section 1-4-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Centennial cite someone for camping without warning first?
No. Section 10-14-30(b) bars a citation unless the person was already orally notified by a law enforcement officer that the conduct violated the section.
Does Centennial's camping ban cover stormwater drainage areas?
Yes. Section 10-14-20 defines 'City-owned property' to include land owned or managed by the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA), on top of parks, trails and rights-of-way.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Centennial

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