Gulfport, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Section 14-47 finds that streets, sidewalks, alleyways and walkways exist to move pedestrians and vehicles, deliver goods and give customers access to businesses, and declares that sleeping, lying or reclining on them, except where reasonably necessary, interferes with those purposes and threatens public safety. Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to sleep, lie or recline in or on any part of the right-of-way, including any public sidewalk or alleyway, at any hour. Enforcement carries a built-in warning step: under subsection (c), an officer who finds someone sleeping, lying or reclining during daylight hours must first ask the person to move, and no citation issues if the person leaves and does not return; a citation follows only after prior notice that the conduct violates the section.

Exceptions cover a medical emergency, sitting on a city bench or bus stop as intended, conduct under a city permit, and a sleeping passenger being legally transported. , though sleeping in a lawfully parked, registered and insured vehicle is not covered. 00 fine, up to sixty days in jail, or both.