Newark, OH Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Section 660.18 of the Newark Code of Ordinances, enacted by the Newark City Council as Ord. 24-36 on October 21, 2024, bans camping on public ground in Licking County's county seat. The section defines "to camp" as setting up or remaining in a campsite. A "campsite" is any place where bedding, a sleeping bag or other bedding material, or any stove or fire is placed, established or maintained to serve as a temporary place to live. The definition applies whether or not the place uses a tent, lean-to, shack, other structure, or a vehicle or part of one.

Division (b) bars sleeping on public sidewalks, streets or alleyways at any time, and the code gives individual and public safety as the reason. Division (c) separately bars sleeping in a pedestrian or vehicular entrance to public or private property that abuts a public sidewalk. Division (d) bars occupying a campsite in or on any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way, park, bench or other publicly owned property, or under any bridge or viaduct. Two exceptions exist: the camping is otherwise specifically authorized by the Code, or the Mayor has made a formal declaration in an emergency circumstance.

Division (e) is the removal clause. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, a person found in violation can be immediately removed from the premises. The section names no notice period, posting requirement or storage procedure before removal.

The cleanup incentive sits in the penalty clause. On conviction, the court considers in mitigation whether the person immediately removed all personal property and litter, including bottles, cans and garbage, from the campsite after being told it violated the law. Penalties run through Section 698.02, the city's misdemeanor penalty section, and each day a violation occurs or continues counts as a separate offense.