Fort Myers, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Fort Myers Code § 54-278
- First offense
- Warning or citation up to $50
- Repeat offense
- Up to $500 fine, 60 days jail
- Vehicle exemption
- Registered, insured, lawfully parked car
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 4036, Nov. 18, 2024
Summary
Fort Myers bans camping or sleeping overnight on city-owned buildings, grounds, streets, parks, sidewalks and rights-of-way unless the site is designated for recreational camping, with escalating fines and possible arrest for repeat violations.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, to publicly camp or sleep within any city owned building or on its surrounding grounds unless designated for public camping or sleeping for recreational purposes by the city. ... (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to publicly camp or sleep upon city owned streets, parks, sidewalks, city owned rights-of-way or other city owned public ways unless designated for public camping or sleeping for recreational purposes by the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 60).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 54-278, it is unlawful to camp or sleep (dusk to dawn) in a tent or other outdoor shelter, or with bedding, pillows or stored belongings, on city-owned buildings, grounds, streets, parks, sidewalks or rights-of-way, unless the city has designated the site for recreational camping. A registered, insured vehicle parked where it may lawfully be is exempt. Before citing, officers must advise the person of the violation and may offer transport to a public shelter if one is available. The ordinance, added by Ord. No. 4036 in November 2024, lets law enforcement remove violators and escalates penalties for repeat conduct, with each continuing day treated as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
First violation: warning or civil citation up to $50. Second and later violations: fine up to $500 and/or up to 60 days in jail. An arrest requires a prior civil citation for the same conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Fort Myers police arrest someone for sleeping outside?
Does sleeping in a parked car violate the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Myers
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Fort Myers to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
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Encampment Sanitation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Lee County handle encampment sanitation.