Sleeping in your car in Katherine

Prohibited by by-law

Katherine's by-laws are worded the same way: an adult who sleeps in a public place between sunset and sunrise, outside a paid caravan park or camping area or a permit, commits an offence.

A Katherine authorised person may direct someone who has broken that by-law to leave the public place, or to move their vehicle, tent, shelter or gear to a place the officer specifies.

Word for word the same offence as Palmerston, with a move-on power attached: an authorised person can direct you to leave, or to move your vehicle to a place they name.

Signs override this page. Whatever is signed at the site is the rule that applies, no matter what is written here.

What this does not mean

A by-law is not a reason to sleep somewhere unsafe. If you have nowhere else, the services on the help tonight page can arrange a bed, and being asked to leave is something you can comply with now and challenge afterwards.

This is legal information, not legal advice, and it is the by-law as read on the date below. Signage and an officer's direction on the day both operate on top of it.

Where this comes from

• “A person who: (a) camps; (b) parks a motor vehicle, erects a tent or other shelter or places gear or equipment for the purpose of camping or sleeping; or (c) being an adult, sleeps at anytime between sunset and sunrise, in a public place other than: (d) in a caravan park or camping area where the person is permitted to park or camp on the payment of money; or (e) in accordance with a permit, commits an offence.” — Katherine Town Council By-laws 1998, by-law 93, Northern Territory Government (NT legislation database). Retrieved 31 Aug 2026.
• “An authorised person may direct a person who is or has contravened clause (1) to do one or both of the following: (a) leave the public place; or (b) remove any motor vehicle, tent, shelter, gear or equipment under the person's control to a place specified by the authorised person” — Katherine Town Council By-laws 1998, by-law 93(3), Northern Territory Government (NT legislation database). Retrieved 31 Aug 2026.