Camping and other activity prohibited on public property.
Charlotte City Code § 15-26
in effectSec. 15-26. - Camping and other activity prohibited on public property.
(a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Camp or camping means the use of city property for living accommodation purposes such as sleeping, or making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping), or storing personal belongings, or placing any tents or a temporary shelter on city property for living accommodation purposes.
Temporary shelter means tents, tarps, or any type of structure or cover that provides partial shelter from the elements.
(b) It shall be unlawful for anyone to camp on any public property owned by the city including public rights-of-way and sidewalks.
(c) Camping as defined in this section is deemed a public nuisance and the city may summarily remove a temporary shelter, bedding or personal belongings.
(d) It shall be unlawful to light or use a campfire or bonfire on public property except as may be specifically authorized by a permit.
A violation of this section may be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor and be subject to a maximum fine not to exceed $500.00 pursuant to G.S. 160A-175 and G.S. 14-4.
(Ord. No. 4814(a), § 1, 1-23-2012; Ord. No. 278, § 5, 4-4-2022)
Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH15OFMIPR_ARTIINGE_S15-26CAOTACPRPUPRFetched: 10/27/2026