The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety, ensure the accessibility of public spaces, and maintain sanitary conditions on Village-owned property and public rights-of-way. This chapter seeks to establish clear, uniform standards of conduct to protect the general welfare of residents and visitors in shared public spaces.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Johnson City 8-19-2025 by L.L. No. 9-2025. Amendments noted where applicable.]
To remain, idle, wander, or linger in one location without a lawful purpose, particularly where such presence interferes with public use, access, or safety.
Actions that block access, create safety hazards, or interfere with the intended use of the facility.
Any designated location marked for the boarding or alighting of public transit vehicles, including bus stops and covered shelters.
Includes waiting for a bus, boarding or exiting a bus, purchasing transit tickets, or providing assistance to a transit user.
A.
Obstruction prohibited. No person shall block, hinder, or impede access to any Village-owned property or public right-of-way by placing any object, erecting a barrier, or positioning themselves so as to prevent free passage or use by other persons.
B.
Sitting or lying on passageways. No person shall sit or lie on paved sidewalks, trails, or passageways in a manner that obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic, interferes with the intended use of public infrastructure, or creates safety or health hazards.
C.
Restrictions on personal property. Only personal items necessary for immediate lawful use, capable of being carried on the person and fitting within the individual's personal space while seated, are permitted on Village-owned property and public rights-of-way. The storage, caching, abandonment, or accumulation of personal property in public spaces is prohibited.
D.
Camping, sleeping, and habitation.
(1)
No person shall establish or maintain any camp, encampment, shelter, or place of temporary lodging on Village-owned property or public rights-of-way.
(2)
No person shall sleep, camp, or use benches, shelters, or other public structures or facilities as places of habitation or extended rest.
(3)
This prohibition applies regardless of whether tents, bedding, sleeping bags, or other sheltering devices are used.
A.
Loitering without transit purpose. Remaining at a transit stop or shelter for more than 60 minutes without the intent to engage in transit-related activity.
B.
Smoking or vaping. Engage in smoking or vaping within 25 feet of any bus shelter or stop, regardless of the substance or product being used.
D.
Improper use of benches or grounds, including but not limited to:
(1)
Sitting or lying on the floor, sidewalk, or ground of any bus stop or shelter in a manner that prevents others from sitting, blocks passageways, entrances, or exits, or creates a safety or sanitation risk;
(2)
Lying down on benches or using benches for sleeping, extended rest, camping, or reclining beyond seating purposes.
E.
Sleeping, camping or long-term occupancy. Using any transit stop or shelter for sleeping, camping, habitation, or storage of personal property for any period of time.
A.
Loitering on posted Village property prohibited. No person shall loiter on any Village-owned property or public right-of-way where signage is posted indicating that loitering is prohibited. Such signage must be clearly visible and state the restriction, including applicable hours or conditions.
B.
Loitering from dusk to dawn prohibited. No person shall loiter on Village-owned property between dusk and dawn, unless otherwise authorized by the Village or when using facilities expressly designated as open during those hours.
Resting or lying in grassy, landscaped, or non-obstructive open space areas is permitted for temporary rest or recreational use, provided it does not interfere with others' use of the space or violate other provisions of this chapter.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Village of Johnson City Police Department and the Village Code Enforcement. Any violation of any provision of the foregoing rules and regulations or any amendment thereto shall be deemed a violation, and any person found guilty thereof shall be liable to a fine which shall not exceed $250 and/or up to 20 hours of community service, imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or by any combination of such fine, community service, or imprisonment.