Waxahachie adopts new ordinance to clarify enforcement on public camping; city cites 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision

The Waxahachie City Council adopted a replacement ordinance for Article 13 (overnight camping and temporary shelters) in Chapter 21 of the city code, updating local law to reflect recent U.S. Supreme Court guidance and to give staff clearer enforcement authority.

Police Chief Weiser told council the prior ordinance was vague and limited enforcement options in typical itinerant-camping situations observed locally, citing the national legal context. “The wording in this ordinance is intended to do exactly that,” he said, explaining the proposed language is patterned on a 2024 Supreme Court decision addressing public camping.

Chief Weiser said the city’s approach pairs enforcement authority with crisis-intervention outreach intended to connect people to services before enforcement actions are taken. He described the department’s crisis intervention team and said it will be used as a first response where appropriate. “That team…is a sea change for the city of Waxahachie’s police department,” he said, and staff indicated they may later request additional personnel to support the team.

Council discussed local incidents — including long-term camping near commercial sites — and expressed support for the ordinance and the city’s outreach-first emphasis. After discussion, council voted to repeal the existing article and replace it with the new camping article.

Next steps: The ordinance takes effect per city code and staff will continue coordinating crisis-intervention responses alongside code enforcement.