Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Indiana (2026)
6 rules on the books across Indiana, 5 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Sit-Lie Rules
Citywide rules against sitting or lying on public sidewalks during specified daytime hours in commercial corridors, including how courts have constrained enforcement.
Fort Wayne
Significant RestrictionsFort Wayne bans placing anything on a street or sidewalk that blocks free passage, with the Board of Public Safety…
Read full rule →South Bend
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend bans loitering or remaining in a public place for the purpose of obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic…
Read full rule →Encampment Sanitation
How cities provide trash, hygiene, and bulky-item pickup at encampments, the CARE/CARE+ cleanups in LA, and the storage-of-belongings rules from Lavan v. LA.
Elkhart County
Significant RestrictionsYou can't pitch a tent to sleep overnight in an Elkhart County park without a permit. Section 93.022(G) bans…
Read full rule →Fishers
Significant RestrictionsPitching a tent or any improvised overnight shelter in a Fishers park or on a city trail without a Parks Department…
Read full rule →Indianapolis
Significant RestrictionsOPHS can close camps and clear public property, but only after notice, cataloguing residents' belongings, and offering…
Read full rule →South Bend
Significant RestrictionsSouth Bend requires a free permit from the Board of Public Works and Safety before anyone may camp or live in a tent or…
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