Texas City, TX Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

The provision that reaches sitting or lying on Texas City sidewalks is § 90.006 of the Texas City Code of Ordinances, titled Persons Causing Obstruction by Stopping or Standing. It says a person shall not stop or stand in the way so as to in any manner obstruct the use of the sidewalks, streets or any other public place in the city by loafing, lounging or standing in or upon the sidewalk, street or other public place.

Three features define the rule. First, the conduct listed is loafing, lounging or standing, so the section is written around a person who stays put rather than one who is walking through. Second, the prohibition is tied to obstruction: the stopping or standing has to obstruct the use of the sidewalk, street or other public place. Third, the section does not mention homelessness, sleeping, camping or any particular class of person, and it contains no time limit, distance or warning requirement.

The neighboring sections fill in the picture. Section 90.005 makes it unlawful to impede the safe and free passage of persons or vehicles along the streets, and § 90.007 bars businesses from occupying a sidewalk with booths, display cases or frame structures and from leaving boxes or merchandise on a sidewalk so as to obstruct free passage. Together the three sections form the obstruction group in Chapter 90, Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places, in Title IX of the code.

The section ends with a penalty reference to § 10.99, the general penalty section, which treats each day a violation continues as a separate offense.