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

Section 33-26, titled Obstructing sidewalks, is a single sentence: it shall be unlawful for any person who, after notice to disperse, shall stand or gather upon any sidewalk in the City of Margate in such a way as to obstruct the passage of persons along said sidewalk. Three elements have to line up. The person must stand or gather on a sidewalk, the position must obstruct the passage of persons along it, and a notice to disperse must already have been given. The dispersal notice is the step that turns obstruction into an offense, so someone who leaves when told has not violated the section.

The section does not use the words sit or lie, and it does not fix hours or a distance from buildings. Section 33-27 adds a neighboring rule for merchants: it is unlawful for any auctioneer, commission merchant or other merchant or person to obstruct the free passage on any sidewalk or street to sell, vend, show or dispose of wares or merchandise or to deliver them. A cross reference under Section 33-26 points to Section 33-30.1 on soliciting donations from vehicles. Section 33-28 sets the penalty for violations in this article: a misdemeanor of the second degree, punished as provided by the Florida Statutes.

Camping and sleeping in public are governed by a different provision, Section 33-34, adopted by Ord. No. 2024-3 on September 18, 2024. It bars regularly engaging in public camping or sleeping on public or private property, including rights-of-way. Being asleep in a public place is not alone sufficient. An officer must also find one of these: numerous personal belongings, cooking, a fire, digging, or a person asleep who has no other permanent place to live. The officer first gives a warning and an opportunity to leave or be transported to a public shelter if available, and belongings not taken to the shelter are inventoried and stored by the city police department for a maximum of sixty days.