D.C. Bill Imposes $500 Fine or 30 Days Jail for Sleeping Outdoors on Public Property

The newly introduced Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act aims to change how the District of Columbia addresses unauthorized outdoor living. Specifically, Section 2 of this bill makes it illegal to camp on public property in D.C. without legal permission. If caught, violators face a fine up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. For a busy person juggling rent and bills, that $500 fine is a major hit; for someone with no home, it’s a life-altering debt or a ticket to the criminal justice system.

What Counts as 'Camping' Now?

The bill is clear about what it’s targeting. “Camping” is defined as setting up or using any temporary structure—like a tent or a tarp—for activities related to living there. Crucially, the definition also covers simply sleeping, preparing to sleep (like laying out a sleeping bag or blanket), or sleeping in or next to a vehicle while preparing to sleep. This isn't about people having a picnic; it’s about criminalizing the act of using public space for necessary survival, which directly targets the unhoused population in the District.

The Real-World Cost of Sleeping Outside

This legislation shifts the response to homelessness from social services to law enforcement. If you’re an unhoused person in D.C., the basic act of sheltering yourself from the elements by using a blanket or a temporary structure now carries a criminal penalty. This means that instead of connecting vulnerable individuals with housing or support, the city can now issue a fine that they cannot pay, leading to warrants, further legal trouble, and even jail time. For people already struggling to keep a job or access services, a 30-day jail sentence creates an enormous barrier to stability, making it even harder to escape poverty.

Public Space vs. Public Safety

While the stated goal may be to ensure public spaces are clean and accessible, the mechanism chosen—criminal penalties—has significant side effects. The bill provides clear legal authority for the city to remove encampments, which may appeal to residents concerned about the visibility of homelessness. However, by imposing fines and jail time, the law effectively punishes the status of being unhoused rather than addressing the underlying housing crisis. This approach is highly likely to disproportionately impact the most vulnerable residents, trapping them in a cycle where a lack of housing leads to a criminal record, which then makes securing housing even more difficult.