Nevadans who are unsheltered or struggling with houselessness have a right to exist in public spaces, and they have property rights!
Read below to learn what is prohibited and to understand your rights under the law.
If you or someone you know has been affected by encampment sweeps or laws that criminalize homelessness, please contact us.
Police and/or other government officials can ask you to temporarily leave a public space for routine maintenance, but they must provide advanced notice that clearly states the date and location of the routine maintenance.
Police cannot legally arrest or ticket you for sleeping, sitting, lying, eating, camping, etc. when shelter space is not available. If shelter is available, then police/government officials must offer it to you before issuing a citation or making an arrest.
If you refuse shelter when it is available, the police can arrest or ticket you for sleeping or camping in a public space.
You have the right to be free from unreasonable seizure and confiscation of your property, but police or government officials can ask you to move your property to perform routine maintenance.
Police or government officials cannot take your belongings without advanced notice that clearly states the date and location of the routine maintenance.
Police or government officials cannot destroy your belongings and must hold them for you to reclaim.
