Bexar County, TX Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County sit-lie ordinance
- None
- Applicable state law
- TX Penal Code 30.05
- CoC coordinator
- SARAH
- Trespass classification
- Class B misdemeanor
Summary
Bexar County has no ordinance prohibiting sitting or lying on public property in unincorporated areas. San Antonio's panhandling and obstruction rules apply only inside city limits, leaving most county sidewalks unregulated for sit-lie conduct.
Sec. 42.03. OBSTRUCTING HIGHWAY OR OTHER PASSAGEWAY. (a) A person commits an offense if, without legal privilege or authority, he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:(1) obstructs a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, entrance, or exit to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access, or any other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles, or conveyances, regardless of the means of creating the obstruction and whether the obstruction arises from his acts alone or from his acts and the acts of others; or(2) disobeys a reasonable request or order to move issued by a person the actor knows to be or is informed is a peace officer, a fireman, or a person with authority to control the use of the premises:(A) to prevent obstr
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Many large U.S. cities passed sit-lie ordinances banning sitting, lying, or sleeping on commercial sidewalks during business hours. Bexar County, which lacks broad ordinance authority over public-conduct issues outside incorporated cities, has not adopted a sit-lie rule. Unincorporated areas of Bexar County include rural roads, suburban subdivisions outside city limits, and stretches near Joint Base San Antonio installations. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office relies on state trespassing laws (Texas Penal Code 30.05) and obstruction-of-roadway statutes (38.15) when public conduct concerns arise. The county's homelessness response is coordinated through SARAH, the Continuum of Care, rather than enforcement-first sit-lie tactics.
Violations & Fines
No county-specific penalties. State trespass charges under Penal Code 30.05 are Class B misdemeanors with up to 180 days jail and $2,000 fines. SARAH outreach offers shelter and case management as an alternative pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for sitting on a sidewalk in unincorporated Bexar County?
Where can I get homelessness help in Bexar County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bexar County to another location·View the Texas homelessness & encampment rules overview
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