Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Pennsylvania (2026)

3 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 2 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.

Philadelphia

Significant Restrictions

Philadelphia bans lying on a sidewalk outright and sitting for more than one hour in any two-hour period, but only…

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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.

Bethlehem

Significant Restrictions

Bethlehem's park code bans camping in any city park unless the Director of Parks and Public Property gives written…

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Philadelphia

Some Restrictions

Philadelphia Code § 10-501(3) bars camping on any private property without the written permission of the owner or…

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