Gwinnett County, GA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Any county-owned park
- Max fine
- $1,000.00
- Max jail
- 60 days
- Enforcer
- County police department
- Coverage
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Gwinnett County makes it a crime to camp or store personal property in any county-owned park, defining camp broadly to include tents, shelters and overnight sleeping.
Camp means residing in or using a location for private living accommodations, such as erecting tents or other temporary structures or objects providing shelter; sleeping in a single place for more than one hour at a time; cooking or preparing meals; or other similar activities.
Storing personal property means leaving one's personal effects, such as, but not limited to, clothing, bedrolls, cookware, sleeping bags, luggage, knapsacks, or backpacks, unattended for more than one hour.
(b)County parks. It shall be unlawful to camp or to store personal property in any park owned by the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 66-7 of the county code, it is unlawful to camp or store personal property in any park owned by the county. "Camp" is defined to include erecting tents or temporary shelters, sleeping in one place more than an hour, or cooking meals; "storing personal property" covers unattended belongings left more than an hour. The county police department enforces the ban, but a warning must be given before arrest. Violation carries up to a $1,000 fine or 60 days in jail, or both.
Violations & Fines
Up to $1,000 fine, 60 days imprisonment, or both; an oral or written warning must be given before arrest under the recorder's court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp overnight in a Gwinnett County park?
Does the county have to warn me first?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
Compare Gwinnett County to another location·View the Georgia homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.