Is it legal to sleep in your car in Alabama? Here's what overnight parking laws say
Spending the night in a car is an uncomfortable last resort, yet many people find themselves in this situation for various reasons.
While state laws and local ordinances often set rules for sleeping in a car, regulations vary widely at gas stations, parking lots and residential neighborhoods.
In Alabama, no state law bans you from sleeping in your car, but it is prohibited in some areas. Gulf Shores and Fairhope ordinances prohibit overnight sleeping in your vehicle between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Check with local ordinances before trying to pull over for the night.
Although Alabama rest stops are designed for travelers to rest on their journeys, overnight parking and camping are prohibited. However, you may use the rest facilities for their restrooms, drinking water and picnic tables.
If you're going to sleep in your car on private property, including business parking lots and garages, you must have the owner's permission to do so. If you do not have permission, you could be detained for trespassing. However, it is generally permitted to sleep in a parking lot.
Some businesses and lots will have signs that warn about overnight parking, so check the signs and local ordinances for restrictions.
Although drinking and driving is illegal, you can still be charged with a DUI if caught trying to 'sleep it off' in your car, even if it's not moving.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Can I sleep in my car in Alabama? Here's what we know about state law
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