Miami-Dade County, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- FL HB 1365 (2024)
- Effective
- October 1, 2024
- Shelter offer first
- Required before citation
- Sanctioned camps
- None in M-D
Summary
Florida HB 1365 (2024) prohibits sleeping or camping on public property statewide effective October 1, 2024. Miami-Dade enforces the ban, with citations and arrests possible after available shelter beds are offered through Camillus House and the Homeless Trust outreach team.
Prohibits counties, municipalities, & political subdivisions from authorizing or allowing public camping or sleeping on public property without certification of designated public property by DCF; authorizes counties to designate public property for such uses for specified time period; requires counties to establish specified standards & procedures relating to such property; authorizes DCF to inspect such property & to issue notice; provides exception during specified emergencies. Effective Date: October 1, 2024.
Full Breakdown
HB 1365, signed by Governor DeSantis in March 2024, codifies a statewide ban on public camping and sleeping on county and municipal property. Cities and counties may designate temporary sanctioned encampments only with state Department of Children and Families approval, and HB 1365 allows residents and the state attorney general to sue jurisdictions that fail to enforce. Miami-Dade Police, MDPD homeless outreach, and the Homeless Trust coordinate offers of shelter through Camillus House, Chapman Partnership, Lotus House, and Salvation Army before issuing citations. Miami-Dade has not designated sanctioned encampments and relies on its 1993 Continuum of Care system.
Violations & Fines
Sleeping or camping on public property after a shelter bed is offered is a misdemeanor under HB 1365; jurisdictions face civil suits if they fail to enforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be arrested for sleeping in a Miami-Dade park?
Has Miami-Dade designated sanctioned encampments?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
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