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St. George, UT Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

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

Key Facts

Penalty class
Class B misdemeanor
Removal deadline
5 minutes after police request
Covered locations
Public grounds, streets, parks, playgrounds
Exception
Permitted special events
Adopted
Ord. 2023-021, Oct. 5, 2023

Summary

St. George makes it a class B misdemeanor to camp, cook, or pitch a tent on public grounds, streets, parks, or playgrounds, and requires removal within five minutes of a police request.

It is unlawful for any person to camp, lodge, cook, make a fire or pitch a tent, fly, lean-to, tarpaulin, or any other type of camping equipment on any "public grounds," ... upon any portion of a "street," ... or in any park or playground. It is unlawful for any person ... to fail to remove the same for more than five (5) minutes after being requested to do so by any police officer.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).

Full Breakdown

St. George City Code section 5-3-3 bans camping, lodging, cooking, fires, and tents or tarps on any public grounds, any street, or in city parks and playgrounds. Public grounds covers property owned by the United States, Utah, or any of its political subdivisions, including the city, where the owner has not authorized camping. Anyone using such gear must remove it within five minutes of a police officer's request or face violation. The code exempts permitted special events under section 3-10-1. A violation is a class B misdemeanor, Utah's most serious misdemeanor tier below a felony, punishable under section 1-4-1's penalty schedule.

Violations & Fines

Camping, cooking, or pitching a tent on public grounds, streets, parks, or playgrounds is a class B misdemeanor; failing to remove gear within five minutes of a police request is a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping on public property legal in St. George?
No. City code section 5-3-3 makes it unlawful to camp, cook, or pitch a tent on public grounds, streets, parks, or playgrounds anywhere in the city.
How fast must someone remove camping gear if police ask?
Within five minutes of an officer's request; failing to do so is itself a separate violation under section 5-3-3.
Are permitted events exempt from the camping ban?
Yes. Section 5-3-3(C) exempts activity authorized under a special event permit issued under section 3-10-1 et seq.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. George

Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesHeavy RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All St. George rules

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