West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5319: Camping ban on certain public property.
Status: Passed one chamber, March 3, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §61-6-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to public camping on certain public property; creating findings; creating definitions; creating warnings and misdemeanor offenses for camping or storing property on certain public property; clarifying that each day constitutes a new violation; requiring certain notifications to a person unlawfully camping; providing certain exceptions for violations; and creating criminal penalties. ARTICLE 6. CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE. §61-6-18. Camping upon governmental or public property, grounds or lawns; definitio.
From the engrossed text, February 25, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §61-6-18 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to public camping on certain public property; creating findings; creating definitions; creating warnings and misdemeanor offenses for camping or storing property on certain public property; clarifying that each day constitutes a new violation; requiring certain notifications to a person unlawfully camping; providing certain exceptions for violations; and creating criminal penalties. ARTICLE 6. CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE. §61-6-18. Camping upon governmental or public property, grounds or lawns; definitions; penalties; public nuisance; exceptions. (a) It is the purpose of this article to prevent harm to the health and safety of the public and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by keeping public streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public property within the municipality, county, or the state readily accessible to the public and to prevent use of public property for camping purposes or storage of personal property where those uses interfere with the rights of others to use the areas for the purposes for which they were intended or create health and safety concerns. (b) The following definitions are applicable in this section unless the context otherwise requires: "Camp or camping" means to pitch, erect or occupy camp facilities, or to use camp paraphernalia or both for the purpose of habitation, as evidenced …