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Henderson, NV Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
HMC § 8.37.030 (Camping. Prohibitions)
Max penalty
6 months jail, $1,000 fine
Pre-citation step
officer must offer shelter referral first
Property storage
impounded, disposed after 30 days unclaimed
Effective
Ord. No. 3967, June 6, 2023

Summary

Henderson prohibits camping, sleeping, or storing personal property in public rights-of-way, parks, trails, and publicly-owned land citywide, with a required officer warning and shelter referral before any citation or arrest.

A.It is unlawful for any person to camp in the following areas, except as otherwise provided by this Code or where specifically designated by the owner of such property:1.Any public right-of-way;2.Any trail, park, or park facility;3.Any public building, publicly-owned parking lot or publicly-owned land, improved or unimproved; or4.Any public property where camping obstructs or interferes with the intended public use of the property.

Source: Henderson Police DepartmentView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 59 Update 3).

Full Breakdown

Henderson Municipal Code § 8.37.030 bans camping, pitching a tent, sleeping outdoors, or setting up camp paraphernalia, in any public right-of-way, trail, park, park facility, public building, or publicly-owned lot or land. Section 8.37.040 separately bars laying down, sleeping, or storing property in ways that block sidewalks, driveways, entrances, fire hydrants, or bike lanes. Before citing anyone, an authorized officer must first warn the person, ask about open shelter beds in Southern Nevada, and direct them to move; only a refusal to accept an available shelter bed allows a citation or arrest under section 8.37.050. Violations are misdemeanors carrying up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine per offense, enforced by Henderson police and code enforcement.

Violations & Fines

Misdemeanor: up to six months jail and/or a $1,000 fine per violation; personal property left in violation may be impounded and disposed of after 30 days unclaimed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can police cite someone camping in Henderson right away?
No. An officer must first warn the person, check for an open shelter bed in Southern Nevada, and direct them to relocate; a citation or arrest is allowed only if an available shelter bed is refused.
Is camping ever allowed on private property in Henderson?
Only with the property owner's written consent, and overnight guest camping in a rear yard (or hidden side/front yard) is limited to one night under HMC § 8.37.030(C).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henderson

All Henderson rules

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