Orange County adopts public-camping ordinance to align with Florida law; advocates urge focus on services

Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners voted 4–2 on Jan. 7 to adopt an ordinance that prohibits overnight public camping or sleeping on property under the county’s jurisdiction, putting local rules in place to comply with Florida’s 2024 House Bill 1365.

The ordinance creates a new Section 26-111 in the county code that defines “public camping or sleeping,” requires written notice procedures for alleged violations, and authorizes enforcement by law enforcement officers. It also directs the county administrator to designate a central email or electronic submission point where residents, business owners or the attorney general can send written notices that the county must have five business days to “cure.”

The county’s stated intent in the ordinance is to achieve compliance through services, assistance and warnings rather than arrests. Assistant County Attorney Dylan Schatz told the commission the measure tracks the state statute and is intended to protect the county from civil suits if the county does not take “reasonable action” to address camping on county-controlled property.

Sheriff’s Office general counsel Austin Moore and members of the Sheriff’s behavioral-response teams told the commission deputies will emphasize outreach and service connections and that arrest will be a last resort. Marissa Gore, clinical manager for the Sheriff’s behavioral-response unit, described co-responder teams—clinicians paired with deputies—who provide on-scene assessment and link people to services or treatment when possible.

Advocates and residents urged caution. Matthew Grocholski, who described himself as a formerly unhoused resident, told the commission, “Take compassion over oppression as the mantra,” and asked officials to ensure the new rules are implemented with clear limits and robust service options.

Commission debate focused on compliance risks under the state law and the county’s parallel work to expand shelter capacity, prevention programs and other services. Mayor Jerry Demings and other commissioners said the ordinance provides a legal tool for the county while staff continues to roll out the $10 million in additional homeless-services funding the board approved in 2024.

The ordinance takes effect immediately upon filing, and staff said they will implement the required public-notice address and set up coordinated outreach procedures with the Sheriff’s Office and homeless-services providers. Commissioners asked staff to return with periodic updates on enforcement and service outcomes.

Why it matters: By adopting a local ordinance that mirrors the state statute, Orange County seeks to limit exposure to litigation while building out the nonpunitive services—shelter, outreach and behavioral-health interventions—advocates say are needed to reduce unsheltered homelessness.

Next steps: Staff will publish the official notice address for written complaints, coordinate enforcement protocols with the Sheriff’s Office, and report back to the board on implementation and service outcomes.