Conroe, TX Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Section 26-55, adopted by Ordinance No. 1889-09 and amended by Ordinance No. 2553-21, prohibits camping in any 'public area,' defined broadly to include streets, highways, parks, parking lots, drainage easements, alleyways, pedestrian ways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, office buildings, transport facilities or commercial property. 'Camp' is defined functionally as using a public or private area for temporary living accommodation, including storing belongings, building a campfire, using a tent or shelter meant for temporary living, cooking, or digging or earth-breaking, and Section 26-55(d) makes clear those activities count as camping if it reasonably appears the person is using the area for living accommodations, regardless of what else they claim to be doing.

Camping in a public area is unlawful unless the parks and recreation department has designated the spot as a camping area, or the location is commercial property holding a valid certificate of occupancy as a campground. On private undeveloped or residential land, camping is allowed only with the owner's written permission, for no more than three days in any 30-day period, after which tents and camping structures must come down. 05 (House Bill 1925), effective September 1, 2021, which similarly bars camping in a public place without the managing authority's consent and independently authorizes enforcement across Texas cities.