Homelessness & Encampment Rules in New York (2026)
7 rules on the books across New York, 6 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.
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.
Hempstead
Significant RestrictionsTown of Hempstead Code § 78-8 bars anyone from tenting, camping, or erecting a tent, shelter or camp in any Town park…
Read full rule →Islip
Significant RestrictionsTown of Islip Code § 37-21 forbids tenting or camping in any Town park unless the Town Board designates and posts an…
Read full rule →New York
Significant RestrictionsNew York City dismantles street encampments through a multi-agency cleanup led by the Department of Homeless Services…
Read full rule →Oneida
Significant RestrictionsThe City of Oneida bans camping, pitching tents, and leaving tarps, sleeping bags, or personal property on public…
Read full rule →Southampton Village
Significant RestrictionsIn the Village of Southampton, camping on the ocean beach is unlawful under § 80-1O, covering spending the night in a…
Read full rule →Union
Significant RestrictionsIn the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City, nobody can establish or maintain a camp or…
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