Greensboro, NC Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

The rule lives in City Code § 18-44, titled "Blocking or impeding street or highway, public sidewalk, and public passageway access." The council grounds it in the city's duty under G.S. 160A-296 to keep streets, sidewalks, and other ways of public passage free from unnecessary obstructions. Subsection (c) makes it unlawful to block or impede the use of those places, and the sit-lie rule is built into the definition of "impede" in subsection (b)(2)(iv).

That definition covers sitting or lying down on a public street, sidewalk, public passageway, or building entrance, and also sitting or lying on a blanket, chair, stool, or any other object placed there. It applies from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The text lists no hours for Sunday.

Subsection (f) is separate and has no time window: it is unlawful to sleep on a public street, sidewalk, passageway, or building entrance. Subsection (g) bans camping in the same places, defining it as placing bedding, sleeping bags, other bedding material, or any stove or fire to maintain a temporary place to live.

The ordinance also reaches objects. "Block" means preventing at least 36 contiguous linear inches of clear access, and under subsection (d) an officer or designee must promptly dispose of objects blocking a sidewalk or passageway where practicable. Standing, sitting, or lying on a traffic island narrower than six feet is an impeding act too, except to cross the street or in an emergency. Blocking a building entrance is unlawful unless the owner or tenant gives permission, verbally or in writing.

The section does not apply to first responders, actions taken in an emergency or to prevent an accident, medical emergencies, holders of a city permit (including under chapter 26), or acts done under a permit from a governmental person. It covers only streets where the North Carolina Board of Transportation holds no authority, and conduct punishable under G.S. 20-174.1 is charged under that statute instead. The most recent amendment is Ord. No. 24-168, adopted December 3, 2024.