Miramar, FL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- November 20, 2024 (Ord. 25-03)
- Covered area
- Streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, public facilities
- Excluded area
- City Parks
- Pre-citation step
- Oral warning plus needs assessment required
- Property hold
- Up to 30 days with Broward Sheriff's Office
Summary
Miramar bans camping or sleeping on public property, including streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way, under City Code Sec. 13-17, adopted November 20, 2024. Officers must first order a person to stop and screen them for medical or homeless-assistance needs before any citation or arrest can issue.
It shall be unlawful in the City to engage in camping or sleeping on public property, except as may be specifically authorized by the appropriate governmental authority... No officer shall issue a citation to make an arrest of or otherwise enforce this Section against any person unless: (1) The officer orally requests or orders the person to refrain from the alleged violation of this Section...; and (2) The officer attempts to ascertain whether the person is in need of medical or human services assistance, including but not limited to mental health treatment, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, or homeless assistance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104 | Land Development Code: Supplement 46).
Full Breakdown
Sec. ' 'Public property' covers 'any street, alley, sidewalk, pedestrian pathway, bicycle lane, or any other area encompassed within the public right-of-way, recreation facility, or any other grounds, buildings, or other facilities owned or leased by the City,' but the section expressly excludes City Parks from that definition. Before any officer can cite or arrest under this section, Sec. 13-17(c) requires the officer to first orally request or order the person to stop, and only after noncompliance may enforcement follow; the officer must also try to determine whether the person needs medical or human-services assistance, such as mental health treatment, substance-abuse rehabilitation or homeless assistance, and if so, offer transport to a hospital or public shelter before citing.
Sec. 13-17(d) directs officers to advise the person that unclaimed personal property will be inventoried and held by the Broward Sheriff's Office for up to 30 days, with perishable or unsanitary items discarded immediately and unclaimed property after 30 days disposed of under Florida Statutes Chapter 705.
Violations & Fines
Violating Sec. 13-17 is punishable as provided in Sec. 13-1 of the City Code, but only after the officer's required warning, needs-assessment and shelter-transport offer under subsection (c) have been completed and the person still fails to comply or refuses available assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sleeping outside illegal in Miramar?
Can Miramar police arrest someone immediately for sleeping outside?
What happens to a person's belongings if they are cited under this ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miramar
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miramar to another location·View the Florida homelessness & encampment rules overview
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Sit-Lie Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle sit-lie rules.