Doral, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Article VIII of Chapter 26, adopted by Ord. No. 2023-27 on October 18, 2023, makes it unlawful for any person to engage in camping on public property at any time within the city, per Sec. 26-201(a), unless the city or another agency with control of the property has expressly authorized camping there. 'Camping' is defined in Sec. 26-200 as residing or dwelling, permanently or temporarily, in a place with shelter while conducting activities of daily living such as eating, sleeping or storing personal possessions, and 'public property' sweeps in every street, alley, sidewalk, bicycle lane, park, or other city-owned or leased building or ground.

Before an officer, meaning a sworn law enforcement officer, may arrest, cite or otherwise enforce the ban, Sec. 26-201(b) requires three steps: first, verbally order the person to stop; second, attempt to determine whether the person needs medical, mental-health, substance-abuse or homeless-assistance services and, if so, offer transport to a hospital or public shelter; and third, warn that any property left behind, other than items of no apparent utility or unsanitary items, will be inventoried and stored by the Doral Police Department for up to 30 days pending reclaim.

Only if the person refuses needed assistance, or is found not to need it, may an officer proceed to enforcement. S. Chapter 705. Sec. 26-201(d) lists factors, beyond simply being in a shelter or under covering materials, that establish a violation: numerous possessions, cooking, tending a fire, digging or earth-breaking, or laying down bedding for sleeping.