Doral council adopts ban on overnight camping on city property, directs manager to pursue shelter partnerships

The Doral City Council on Jan. 15 approved a resolution prohibiting overnight camping and sleeping on city-owned buildings, parks and rights-of-way and directed the city manager and city attorney to prepare implementing legislation and pursue partnerships and outreach.

Councilman Rafael Pinedo, who introduced the item, cited changes to state law and rising visible homelessness in the area. “The state of Florida adopted amendments to Florida statute 125.0231, which provides that a county or municipality may not authorize or otherwise allow any person to regularly engage in public camping or sleeping on any public property,” Pinedo said, as he described the city’s interest in giving direction consistent with the statute.

The resolution instructs the city manager and city attorney to codify the city’s position on overnight sleeping and camping, to present solutions or partnerships with community and faith-based organizations, and to consider public-education steps and a hotline similar to Miami’s. Pinedo said the measures are intended to support police enforcement and to connect people experiencing homelessness with services rather than “punish” them.

Councilwoman Nicole Reynoso said she supported the resolution and emphasized the need to couple enforcement with service options. “We can’t just abandon them,” Reynoso said, urging the city to research additional ways to assist people spending nights in public areas.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. The record shows the motion passed with those present voting yes; Councilwoman Digna Cabral was recorded as absent.

What the resolution does — and does not — do: it declares the city’s prohibition on overnight camping on city-controlled property and tasks staff with drafting local implementing ordinances and outreach plans. It does not itself create a new shelter program or appropriate funding; it asks staff to identify partnerships and report back with proposed actions.

Council members discussed public outreach and an educational campaign so residents know how to report or access services, and Pinedo said he plans a convening to include county and nonprofit partners. No specific implementation timeline or funding source was adopted at the meeting; staff were directed to return with recommendations.

The council’s action comes after state-level statutory changes cited during the discussion and reflects a mix of public-safety, regulatory and social-service considerations. The city attorney and city manager were directed to prepare the ordinance language and to explore partnerships and outreach with local providers.