As long as you placed it on publicly owned property, with the intent of sleeping or cooking, it meets the definition of “camping”… It does not matter if you are sleeping inside your own vehicle, or any other structure that you own. Just the act of sleeping itself, on public property, is illegal. This is because both the Equal Access to Public Property Act of 2012, along with its 2022 expansion, has a very broad (and lengthy) definition of “camping”. It’s no longer allowed on public property. What About Sleeping Overnight in a Vehicle? However, the 2022 expansion of the Equal Access to Public Property Act of 2012 has already banned sleeping of any kind, on any public property. Interestingly, this amendment to the Motor Vehicle Code defines camping as any kind of sleeping or cooking, as long as its outside of a vehicle. Under a bridge or overpass, or within an underpass, of a state or interstate highway.On the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway or.Tennessee’s Motor Vehicle Code was also amended by creating a new section that effectively duplicates itself with the above, but specifically names the following public places where camping is now banned… The Expansion Also Amends the Motor Vehicle Code Note that the Bureau of Land Management does not manage any lands in Tennessee. Thus, national forests (boondocking) are exempt, as well as any publicly owned campgrounds. However, this new expansion exempts any public property that was already approved for camping purposes. This would include all public parks, memorials, buildings, plazas, highways, bridges, rest areas, etc. This would include federally owned lands, as well state, county, and city owned lands. However, it does defines “public place” ( § 39-11-106) as any place (within the State of Tennessee) where the public has the right to access. Interestingly, the expansion does not define “public property”. The expansion removes the term, “state owned property” from the Act and replaces it with just “public property”. The Tennessee Legislature responded the following year with a bill designed to expand on the Equal Access to Public Property Act of 2012. Expansion of the Actįast forward to the Summer of 2020, when rioters across the country began attacking random people, burning and looting businesses, vandalizing cars and property. The Act exempted, however, all state owned campgrounds, or other state properties where camping was allowed. Just the act of sleeping on state owned property, qualifies as “camping”. The term “camping” was given a specific definition to include erecting any kind of shelter, or other bedding, as well as the act of sleeping and the act of cooking. A person can only be charged with violating this act if he or she was informed by an officer and failed to remove themselves and their belongings. The Act made it illegal to camp on any state owned property that was not designated for camping. The Act was created in response to the “Occupy Nashville” movement in which protesters erected tents on the state-owned War Memorial Plaza. Synopsis of the New Illegal Camping Lawīack in 2012, the State of Tennessee passed the “Equal Access to Public Property Act of 2012” ( § 39-14-414), which banned camping on state owned property. Those riots hit the Volunteer State hard, particularly in Memphis and Nashville. House Bill 0978, and Senate Bill 1610 was originally written in 2021 in response to riots that took place throughout the country in 2020. A new law goes into effect on July 1, 2022. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.The State of Tennessee will soon make it illegal to camp on public property. We receive compensation for use of our affiliate links. It’s a win win! We give info, our time, and our honest opinion, you buy what you were going to anyway and tell us thanks by using our link! ✪ ✪ What are affiliate links? It’s a way for you to help your favorite creators! It doesn’t cost you anything to use our links and we will get a small % of the sale. LOOKING FOR OUR FAVORITE GEAR OR WANT SOME MERCH? WANT REAL TIME UPDATES OR ACCESS TO OUR SECRET FACEBOOK GROUP? □ SIMPLY USE OUR AFFILIATE LINKS WHEN YOU SHOP: So get prepared for some awesome dry camping aka boondocking in east TN and don’t forget to pack out what you pack in! The best part is they are free for up to 14 days. You don’t want to miss off-grid camping like this when you visit Tennessee. Looking for free campsites in Tennessee? These 3 free camping spots are excellent for both tent campers and RV lovers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |