Rep. Balkcom files bill in North Carolina House to regulate public camping

A new bill filed by State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate public camping and sleeping on public property while permitting designated areas under local government oversight, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 781 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Unauthorized Public Camping & Sleeping.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits unauthorized public camping or sleeping on public property in North Carolina, including public buildings, their grounds, and public rights-of-way under local government jurisdiction. It allows local governments to designate specific properties for public camping or sleeping for up to one year if there are insufficient shelter beds and provided the property complies with safety, sanitation, and health standards. Such designations require certification from the Department of Health and Human Services. Violations of the prohibition can result in civil actions by residents, business owners, or the attorney general. The bill takes effect Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Brian Biggs proposed the most bills (36) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Balkcom graduated from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016 with an AA.

Balkcom, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 117th House district, replacing previous state representative Timothy Moffitt.