Austin's Camping Ban Begins May 11. Here's What You Need To Know.

Austin TX

10 May, 2021

6:44 PM

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AUSTIN, TX — The new city ordinance, which will criminally charge and penalize individuals who camp and or solicit money in the city limits, will go into effect on Tuesday. Here's everything you need to know about the new camping ban. What is the Austin camping ban? Proposition B, which voters passed on May 1, makes it a criminal offense — a Class-C misdemeanor punishable by a fine — if you sit, lie down, or camp on public property. It also prohibits panhandling at specific hours and locations. Most camping bans, including the one the City of Austin used for years, defines camping as "storing personal belongings, using a tent/car as a living accommodation, and cooking." While this new rule applies to public property, it's important to note that camping on someone's private property or on park land was never allowed. Recreational camping or cooking that's allowed by permit at camp sites in a park is not impacted. When will Proposition B go into effect in Austin? The new ordinance will go into effect on Tuesday, May 11. How will the city of Austin enforce the camping ban? On Monday, the city of Austin announced a four phased plan on how the city will enforce the new city ordinance. The plan is expected to take several weeks, authorities said. The plan has been developed through a coordinated effort among multiple departments — including the Austin Police Department, the Homeless Strategy Division, the Homeless Outreach Street Team, the Downtown Austin Community Court, Parks and Recreation Department, Austin Resource Recovery and others. Officials said the plan is focused on a "safe and humane approach" that helps people experiencing homelessness to comply with the new ordinance. Phase 1: Will begin Tuesday and will entail 30 days of community engagement and education, during which Austin PD will provide available resources and verbal warnings, expect in the case of imminent threats to health or safety. Phase 2: After 30 days, Austin police will begin issuing written warnings and initial citations. Phase 3: Austin police may initiate arrests and or encampment clearances in situations where compliance has not been achieved after a citation has been issued. Phase 4: Citations and arrests will continue as necessary. Austin police will coordinate with city homelessness outreach teams, and wherever possible, will provide information about alternative options such as storing personal items, alternate campsites, available shelters and other sources. What happens if Austin doesn't enforce the ban? If the city doesn't enforce the ban, a statewide camping ban, which was passed on May 5, will begin fall 2021. House Bill 1925 would make it a Class-C misdemeanor for people to knowingly camp in a public place. The potential law would also punish local governments that do not enforce the ban. It's identical to a similar bill in the Texas Senate, which remains in committee. The bill could give the state's conservative leaders the tools they need to either compel the Austin City Council to enforce the camping ban or to potentially enforce the ban itself using Department of Public Safety resources. The bill is expected to go into effect on Sept. 1. RELATED COVERAGE: Austin Votes For Prop B: May 1 Election Results Caritas Of Austin's New Homeless Housing To Open In Fall 2022 Community First! Village To Add 1,400 Homes For Austin Homeless