(a)
Except in designated areas, it shall be unlawful for any person to
camp in any public area.
(b)
As used herein, the term “public area” shall mean an
outdoor area to which the public has access and includes, but is not
limited to, streets, highways, parks, parking lots, alleyways, pedestrian
ways, and the common areas of the school, hospitals, apartment houses,
office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.
(c)
For purposes of this section, the term “camp” means to
use a public area for living accommodations for purposes such as,
but not limited to, the following:
(1)
Sleeping, or making preparations to sleep, including the laying down
of bedding for the purpose of sleeping;
(2)
Storing personal belongings;
(3)
Making a fire;
(4)
Using tents or shelter or other structure or vehicle for sleeping;
(5)
Carrying on cooking activities; or
(6)
Doing any digging or earth breaking.
(d)
The activities listed in subsection (c) of this section shall constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the participants, in conducting these activities, are in fact using the area for living accommodations purposes, regardless of the intent of the participants or the nature of any other activities in which they may also be engaging.
(e)
It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution that a person is
the person who owns the property or has secured the permission of
the property owner to camp in a public area.
(2002 Code, art. 8.100)
