Milton Considers Public Camping Ordinance, Following Pensacola And Escambia County's Lead

Milton, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Milton could soon join Pensacola and Escambia County in regulating camping and sleeping on public property, after Police Chief Jennifer Frank introduced the concept to city council at Tuesday night's meeting.

The proposal comes in response to a 2024 Florida law, House Bill 1365, which allows residents and business owners to hold local governments accountable if they fail to address public camping and sleeping. Under the law, cities and counties that don't have their own enforcement mechanism could face lawsuits.

"State law actually requires action," Frank told council. "It provided a remedy where cities could be held accountable by business owners, by residents and people in the area for not addressing certain issues. And one of those issues in particular was homelessness and sleeping on public property."

Frank said Milton currently has no way to remove someone camping on public property, even in cases involving parks, sidewalks, or public gathering spaces. She described instances where officers responded to complaints involving encampments at a local cemetery and near a downtown gazebo, with no legal mechanism to act.

The chief emphasized any enforcement would start with warnings and connections to local resources before escalating to removal. She said the goal is to balance compassion for people experiencing homelessness with the needs of residents and business owners.

Both Pensacola and Escambia County have already passed similar ordinances. Pensacola's ordinance, passed in 2024 on a 5-1 vote, allows fines of 50 dollars a day for repeat violators, with possible jail time after 20 days of noncompliance. Escambia County passed its own camping restrictions around the same time and has continued tightening related rules on panhandling and camping as recently as December.

Frank noted that without a similar ordinance, Milton could become a landing spot for people displaced by stricter enforcement in neighboring jurisdictions.

Tuesday's presentation was introduction only. No vote was taken, and the proposal now moves to the city attorney's office for further review before returning to council.