Battle Creek, MI Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Section 618.13 of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances, Obstructing Passage of the Public, is the sidewalk rule closest to a sit-lie law. It does not mention sitting or lying down. It turns on two things: conduct, alone or together with other persons, that obstructs the free and uninterrupted passage of the public, and a prior order from a police officer not to do so or to stop doing so. Without that order the section is not violated, so the first contact with an officer is a warning step built into the text.

The covered places are any street, sidewalk, park, public building, or any other public place. Chapter 618 defines public place in Section 618.01(f) as any street, alley, park, public building or place of business or assembly open to or frequented by the public, or any other place which is open to the public view or to which the public has access.

Two nearby sections add location limits. Section 618.34(g) makes it unlawful to remain idly within 25 feet of an intersection of roads unless the person has an official license or permit to conduct activities at that location. Section 618.34(d) bars loitering within 15 feet of the entrance or exit of any public toilet facility or an automated teller machine, and Section 618.34(c)(1) bars loitering that obstructs or unreasonably interferes with access to City buildings such as City Hall and W.K. Kellogg Airport. Section 618.12 separately prohibits unnecessarily jostling or roughly crowding persons in any street, alley, park or public building.

Section 618.17, Begging, is printed in the code as repealed by Ordinance 12-7, passed October 2, 2012. Soliciting alms is now regulated by Section 618.33, which is a separate rule.