Providence committee adopts ordinance barring fines for sleeping on public property

The Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education voted unanimously on March 11 to approve an amendment to Providence’s code that bars city officials from issuing fines or tickets to people sleeping on public property.

Councilor Miguel Sanchez, who sponsored the ordinance amendment, said the change is intended to add a layer of protection for people experiencing homelessness and to avoid adding fines that can complicate efforts to find housing. "What this essentially does is prohibits the possibility of issuing tickets, fines, to members of the public that are camping on public property," Sanchez said during the meeting.

The ordinance amends Chapter 23 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places) of the Providence code by prohibiting monetary penalties for people who sleep on public property. Committee members clarified that the change does not legalize camping in parks or public spaces where other ordinances already prohibit presence after specified hours. Police will still be able to ask people to move and may pursue trespass charges or other non-monetary enforcement where applicable; the amendment specifically removes the city’s authority to impose fines or tickets for sleeping on public property.

Several members raised questions about whether the language could unintentionally affect fees tied to permitted uses of public property, such as rental of parks or campsites. A committee member suggested removing the word "fee" from the section to avoid ambiguity about charging for lawful, permitted uses; other members said the intent is to prevent penal fines while not interfering with voluntary rental or fee-based uses. The city attorney present indicated no objection and offered no additional legal comments during committee discussion.

Committee members framed the change as a proactive signal that Providence will not criminalize sleeping in public with fines, citing concerns that monetary penalties can lead to unpaid tickets, warrants and barriers to housing.

The ordinance was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. The committee chair recorded the motion as carried, and the ordinance will proceed according to the city’s legislative process.