Harris County has no countywide sit-lie ordinance regulating sitting or sleeping on public sidewalks. Texas counties have very limited authority to criminalize encampments. The Sheriff uses general criminal trespass and Texas Penal Code obstruction statutes. Houston enforces its own anti-encampment ordinances inside city limits.
Texas Local Government Code does not delegate to counties the kind of broad sidewalk and sit-lie authority cities exercise. Harris County therefore has no Section 41.18 style ordinance criminalizing sitting, lying, or sleeping on public sidewalks. The Sheriff and constables use Texas Penal Code Section 42.03 obstructing a passageway, Section 30.05 criminal trespass on private property after warning, and the Texas Transportation Code pedestrian-in-roadway provisions. Houston enforces a 2017 anti-encampment ordinance and a Civic Center sleeping ban inside city limits. Harris County Community Services Department coordinates the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County's Continuum of Care, providing outreach and rapid rehousing rather than enforcement-led displacement.
Obstructing passageway under Penal Code 42.03 is a Class B misdemeanor with up to 180 days jail and $2,000 fine. Criminal trespass after warning under 30.05 is Class B in most cases. No county sit-lie citation exists outside city limits.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how Pasadena's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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