D.C. Bill Criminalizes Camping on Public Land: Fines Up to $500 and 30 Days Jail Time

This new D.C. legislation is pretty straightforward, but the real-world impact is anything but simple. In short, the bill makes it illegal—a criminal act—to “camp” on any public property in the District of Columbia. The text defines “camp” broadly, meaning using anything from a tent to a sleeping bag or even just a temporary setup to create a place for living on public land (SEC. 1). If you violate this rule, you could face a fine up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

The Fine Print on Public Space

This bill essentially draws a hard line on who can use public space for shelter. For most D.C. residents, this might mean fewer visible encampments in parks or under overpasses. However, the core issue is that this law criminalizes the act of existing for people who have no other option. If you are experiencing homelessness and set up a sleeping bag to survive the night, you are now committing a crime punishable by jail time. This provision doesn’t offer any new shelter beds or supportive services; it just replaces the tent with a potential jail cell.

The Cost of Survival

Think about the practical impact of that $500 fine and 30-day jail sentence. For someone already struggling to find housing, that fine is an impossible burden, often leading to a cycle of debt and further legal trouble—a classic case of penalizing poverty. Furthermore, a criminal record, even for a misdemeanor like this, is a massive hurdle when trying to secure employment or housing down the line. Instead of connecting vulnerable individuals with resources, this law pushes them deeper into the criminal justice system, making it harder for them to get back on their feet. It’s a punitive measure that addresses the visibility of homelessness without touching the root causes.

Who Bears the Burden?

While the stated goal might be to improve public order and accessibility, the cost of this change is borne almost entirely by the most vulnerable population: those without stable housing. The bill’s broad definition of “camp” means that even minimal survival efforts are now targets for enforcement. If the city doesn't simultaneously roll out a massive increase in accessible, low-barrier shelter and housing, this legislation will simply move people from one public space to another, or, more likely, into the correctional system. This is a classic example of a policy that prioritizes optics over actual solutions, creating a legal and financial trap for people whose only crime is lacking shelter.