PC §308 - ILLEGAL SQUATTING

CLASS E MISDEMEANOR

Section 1: Definitions

1. Illegal Squatting: The act of occupying a residential or commercial property without the permission of the owner, lessee, or other authorized person, and without legal right.

2. Property: Any real estate, including residential buildings, commercial buildings, land, or any other structures that are privately or publicly owned.

3. Owner: Any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity with legal title to the property.

4. Lessee: Any individual or entity with a lease or rental agreement granting them the right to occupy the property.

Section 2: Offenses

1. Unlawful Occupation:

   • It shall be unlawful for any person to occupy a property without the consent of the owner or lessee and without legal right to do so.

2. Interference with Property Rights:

   • It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with the property rights of the owner or lessee by refusing to vacate the premises after being asked to do so or after being served with a lawful eviction notice.

3. Damage to Property:

   • It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in illegal squatting to cause damage to the property, including but not limited to defacing, vandalizing, or physically altering the property.

4. Falsification of Tenure:

   • It shall be unlawful for any person to falsely represent themselves as a tenant or to produce fraudulent documents to gain unauthorized access or occupancy of a property.

Section 3: Additional Provisions

1. Eviction Costs:

   • The court may order any person convicted of illegal squatting to pay for the costs associated with eviction, including legal fees, court costs, and expenses incurred by the property owner or lessee.

2. Injunctions and Restraining Orders:

   • The court may issue injunctions or restraining orders prohibiting any person convicted of an offense under this code from entering or occupying the property in question or any other property owned by the same owner or lessee.

Section 4: Exceptions

1. Legal Tenure:

   • This code shall not apply to individuals who have legal right to occupy the property, including those with valid leases, rental agreements, or ownership rights.

2. Emergency Situations:

   • This code shall not apply to individuals who enter or occupy property in emergency situations where immediate action is required to prevent harm or provide aid.

3. Lawful Occupancy:

   • This code shall not apply to individuals who are present on the property with the consent of the owner or lessee, or who have a legal right to occupy the property.

JAIL TIME

20 SECONDS OF JAIL TIME.

BOND SET

$2,000.00