Smyrna, GA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Sec. 66-8, Building fires; camping in public places, is a single sentence: no person shall build a fire in the streets or public parks, nor shall any person camp in the streets or parks. It names two places, streets and parks. The section itself sets no notice period, storage rule or cleanup procedure for belongings left behind, so the enforcement picture comes from neighboring sections of the Code.

City parks are covered first by Sec. 70-1, which makes it unlawful to be within the bounds of any city park during closed hours. If a sign does not designate the closed hours, the park is assumed closed between dusk and dawn; anyone in an organized activity such as sports, including spectators, is exempt. Under Sec. 70-2(c) it is unlawful to park a vehicle in a park between closing and opening hours, and unlawful to park in a park at all except as an authorized park user during the period of use. Under Sec. 70-2(e), an authorized park employee, park ranger or law enforcement officer can require a person who violates a city ordinance or park rule to leave immediately, and that person cannot return or use park facilities for 24 hours. Refusing the order, or returning within 24 hours, is unlawful and punishable as a misdemeanor. Park rangers hold arrest powers concurrent with the police department and can eject anyone from a park (Sec. 70-2(b)).

Streets and vehicles are covered separately. Sec. 62-1(b) bars parking a motor home or travel trailer on any street, alley, highway or other public place for longer than 24 hours, except in an emergency. Sec. 66-3(b)(10) makes it disorderly conduct to stand or remain in a street, sidewalk, overpass or public way so as to impede the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic and then fail to clear it after a police officer orders. Sec. 66-6 makes it petty trespass to remain on another person's land after notice to depart, and a police officer can give that notice at the owner's request.