Board directs Seminole County staff to amend ordinances to reflect new public-sleeping law

Trisha Johnson, deputy county manager, briefed the board on the new state law (House Bill 1365) enacted in 2024 that permits counties to designate sites for supervised public sleeping and camping but does not require counties to do so.

"This legislation allows a county to designate property owned by the county or a municipality within that county's boundaries for the purposes of public sleeping and camping," Johnson said. She summarized key requirements for establishing a site: certification by the Department of Children and Families, a local demonstration that existing shelter capacity is insufficient, sanitation (running water and restrooms), security, and access to behavioral-health services. She also explained prohibitions in the bill restricting regular overnight camping on public rights-of-way and property unless authorized through a designated site or proper processes.

Johnson noted the bill gives aggrieved county residents or businesses—and the state attorney general—the right to bring civil action if the county authorizes camping without an identified designated site and does not cure the alleged violation within five business days of written notice. Staff recommended amending Seminole County’s code of ordinances to explicitly prohibit public camping and sleeping on county property and rights-of-way unless done consistent with the statutory framework. Commissioners directed staff to prepare draft ordinances, with the county attorney and county manager aiming to return a draft before the end of the calendar year so items are in place by the statute’s effective date.