Atlanta's Ord. 21-O-0028 prohibits camping on city sidewalks, parks, and rights-of-way and supplements existing obstruction rules in Chapter 138 of the city code, applied in light of Eleventh Circuit constitutional limits.
Atlanta's public camping ordinance, Ord. 21-O-0028 (2021), restricts erecting tents, sleeping structures, or storing personal property on city sidewalks, parks, and public rights-of-way. The ordinance complements pre-existing obstruction provisions and operates alongside Chapter 138 sidewalk rules and Chapter 142 park rules. Following the Eleventh Circuit's reasoning consistent with Martin v. Boise, Atlanta enforces these provisions only when shelter alternatives exist. APD's HOPE (Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement) team partners with Partners for HOME — Atlanta's Continuum of Care lead agency — to offer placements at Gateway Center, Crossroads, or other shelters before citation. Penalties are typically civil infractions, escalating only when individuals refuse repeated outreach.
Erecting tents or storing belongings on sidewalks, parks, or rights-of-way after notice and offer of shelter can result in civil citation, trespass warning, and criminal escalation for repeated refusal.
See how Atlanta's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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