Garland, TX Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Camping ban
- Downtown Overlay District (§25.16(G))
- Downtown Square hours
- Closed 2-5 a.m. daily
- Unattended property
- Impounded, held 10 days
- Cooking/fires
- Need special event + health permit
- Local ordinance
- Ordinance 7180, adopted 11/17/20
- State law
- Penal Code §48.05, Class C misdemeanor
Summary
Garland bans camping outright in the Downtown Overlay District and closes the smaller Downtown Square from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily under §25.16. Unattended property there gets impounded, cooking or open flame is barred outside a special event permit, and the local ban predates the statewide public-camping law it now runs alongside.
(1) Camping means using property for living accommodation purposes by the erection, use or occupation of any tent, hut, lean-to, shack or other temporary shelter for sleeping purposes or the laying down of bedding, such as a mat, blanket, sleeping bag or similar material for the purpose of sleeping. ... (G) Camping is prohibited in the Downtown Overlay District.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862189; v40 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
16 defines "camping" as using property for living accommodation purposes by erecting or occupying a tent, hut, lean-to, shack or other temporary shelter, or laying down bedding such as a mat, blanket or sleeping bag for sleeping. Subsection (G) states plainly that camping is prohibited in the Downtown Overlay District, the larger area mapped in the Downtown Framework Plan appended to Chapter 7 of the Garland Development Code. Within the smaller Downtown Square itself, bounded by W. State Street, N. Sixth Street, Main Street and N.
daily, and it is unlawful to remain there during those hours after a peace officer gives a warning. Subsections (C) through (F) add related rules for the Square: unattended personal property may be impounded at the Police Property Room and, if unclaimed after 10 days, disposed of by the City; cooking, operating a grill, or lighting any fire, fire-pit or open flame there is unlawful except under the terms of a special event permit and related health permits. 05 (enacted by House Bill 1925, effective September 1, 2021), which separately makes camping in a public place a Class C misdemeanor statewide. 09.
Violations & Fines
Camping in the Downtown Overlay District, remaining in the Downtown Square between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. after an officer's warning, leaving property unattended there, or cooking or lighting a fire without a special event and health permit is unlawful under §25.16; unclaimed impounded property is disposed of after 10 days, and camping citywide can separately be charged as a Class C misdemeanor under state Penal Code §48.05.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping allowed anywhere in downtown Garland?
What happens to belongings left in the Downtown Square?
Does Texas state law also ban public camping in Garland?
Can I cook or light a fire in the Downtown Square?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Garland to another location·View the Texas homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Encampment Sanitation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle encampment sanitation.