Concord, NC Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Sec. 42-13(b) makes it unlawful to camp on any city property, including land within public rights-of-way and sidewalks. Camp is defined in Sec. 42-13(a)(1) to mean using city property for sleeping, preparing to sleep (including laying down bedding), storing personal belongings, or placing a tent or temporary shelter for living-accommodation purposes. Tents, temporary shelters, canopies, and other camping gear are prohibited on city property whether or not they're occupied or contain bedding, except in locations the city has designated and permitted in writing for camping, and it is separately unlawful to place or leave any tent, temporary shelter, or bedding on city property (Sec.

42-13(b)(2)). Lighting or using a campfire or bonfire on city property is also banned (Sec. 42-13(b)(3)). City property is defined broadly in Sec. 42-13(a)(4) to include any real property the City of Concord owns, including rights-of-way and sidewalks, and any city-owned personal property. The ordinance declares camping on city property a public nuisance: any sworn law enforcement officer may direct a camper to stop and remove gear or belongings, and may summarily cause tents, shelters, bedding, or personal belongings to be removed from city property (Sec. 42-13(c)(1)). Officers may likewise summarily extinguish any campfire or bonfire found burning on city property (Sec. 42-13(c)(2)).