Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Indiana (2026)
10 rules on the books across Indiana, 9 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.
Columbus
Significant RestrictionsColumbus Municipal Code § 9.16.050 makes it unlawful in the City of Columbus, Indiana to be found begging, or to lie or…
Read full rule →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 →Floyd County
Some RestrictionsFloyd County Code § 130.03(B) makes it unlawful, once a deputy has warned a person or a 'no loitering' sign is posted…
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 →Hammond
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Hammond, Indiana, no one may pitch or maintain a tent, shelter or camp in any city park without a permit…
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 →Kokomo
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Kokomo, camping or storing camp equipment on city-owned sidewalks, streets, parks, or lots is unlawful…
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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