Columbus, IN Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

The rule sits in Chapter 9.16 of Title 9, Public Peace, Morals and Welfare, and it is a single sentence with no subsections, no definitions and no penalty clause of its own. It reaches three kinds of conduct: being found begging in the city, lying or sleeping in, along or upon any public street, alley, park or other public place, and lying or sleeping in any building, warehouse, shed, railroad depot or railroad car, or in or about any yard, mill or factory. The one exception is permission: the person must have the permission of the owner or occupant of the place to sleep or be there.

The section does not use the words sit, sitting or sidewalk. It names lying, sleeping and begging, and it names streets, alleys, parks and other public places. The code prints no permit process, no form and no time-of-day limit for obtaining permission, so the phrase "permission of the owner or occupant" is the whole standard. The ordinance traces to the city's prior code § 18-18 and has no amendment history printed after it.

Penalties come from the general penalty chapter. Section 1.12.010 makes any person violating the code guilty of an ordinance violation, treats each day a violation is committed or permitted to continue as a separate offense, and sets the fine at no more than the maximum penalty allowed under I.C. 36-1-3-8(10), or any later statutory provision. The court can suspend all or part of a penalty and can condition the suspension on uncompensated work that benefits the community. The city can also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation and can recover court costs, reasonable attorney fees and other enforcement expenses.

The neighboring section, § 9.16.010, declares a public nuisance unlawful and defines it to include anything that discommodes or hinders any citizen in the exercise or enjoyment of rights and privileges. A judge who convicts someone of maintaining a public nuisance can order it removed and direct the police chief to carry out the judgment. Roadway solicitation is handled separately in § 9.14.010.