Brevard County, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Covered areas
- beaches, dunes, beach accesses only
- Max penalty
- $500.00 fine, 60 days jail
- Arrest limit
- barred until shelter offer refused
- Source ordinance
- Ord. No. 02-31, § 1 (2002)
Summary
Brevard County bans sleeping or camping on any beach, dune, or beach access from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. unless the county has specifically authorized overnight camping there.
Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. the following day, it shall be unlawful for any person to sleep or camp on any beach, dune, beach access (dune crossover) located in the county.(b)The prohibition in this section shall not apply to public shelters, public buildings, public recreation areas or public property where the county commission has authorized camping or overnight sleeping in compliance with rules and regulations established for such a location. No person shall be arrested and imprisoned for a violation of this article unless that person has refused an offer to be placed in a homeless shelter or on public property where the county has authorized camping or overnight sleeping. (Ord. No. 02-31, § 1, 7-23-02)
Secs. 74-92—74-100. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under Brevard County Code § 74-91, it is unlawful to sleep or camp on any beach, dune, or beach access (dune crossover) in the county between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The ban doesn't apply to public shelters, public buildings, public recreation areas, or public property the county commission has authorized for overnight camping. Critically, the ordinance bars arrest and imprisonment for violating this article unless the person has already refused an offer of placement in a homeless shelter or on county-authorized public camping property. General code violations carry up to a $500.00 fine or 60 days in jail under § 1-7.
Violations & Fines
Sleeping or camping on a beach, dune, or crossover between 10 p.m.–5 a.m.: up to $500.00 fine or 60 days in jail; no arrest until a shelter offer is refused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brevard County's camping ban apply everywhere or just the beach?
Can someone be arrested right away for sleeping on the beach overnight?
What's the penalty for violating the beach curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.