I’m going to be moving out of my Minnesota home soon, but my schedule got a big mixed up and now I’m going to be still in the state with nowhere to stay for a couple of days as my belongings head to my new home.
I need to hang around to take care of some things, so I’ve been trying to figure out where to stay.
I didn’t feel like paying for a hotel under the circumstances, so I asked some friends if it would be legal for me to sleep in my car.
They weren’t sure so I decided to look into it myself.
Is it illegal to sleep in your car in Minnesota?
No, it isn’t, is the simple answer. State wide, there is no law prohibiting sleeping in your car. However, individual cities, towns and other municipal authorities may have ordinances of one form or another banning sleeping in your car for extended periods. It depends on where you are.
So, while the simple answer is that it isn’t outright illegal, in most highly populated areas, you are going to find you’re not able to get much rest in your car without being moved on.
There are a few reasons for this, as I will get into.
In any case, let’s look further into this.
What happens if you are caught sleeping in your car in Minnesota?
The most likely answer is nothing.
You’ll be moved on, asked to go elsewhere, told you can’t sleep in your car and sent on your way.
This would be a different matter were it a statewide criminal offence.
As it stands, though, it isn’t, and it all depends on where you are.
In pretty much any highly-populated area, whether residential or commercial, sleeping in your car is likely to be seen in the same way as loitering.
It’s antisocial behavior, potentially indicating criminal intent.
Though you may disagree with this, it’s part of the state’s reasoning—but I’ll look at that in more detail shortly.
In the worst-case scenario, if you’re caught sleeping in your car, you may be fined.
This is only likely after multiple offences, though.
Repeat offences could mean you’re ultimately arrested to prevent it from happening again, so don’t keep doing it.
Why is this the case, then? It’s hard to say—so let’s look at a few perspectives.
Why is sleeping in your car illegal in some places in Minnesota?
From the state’s point of view, it is about crime prevention.
Again, the loitering laws that have been a staple of American cities for over a century were implemented for the same reason.
The state’s view is that there is no reason to be sleeping in your car in a non-designated area.
They would also suggest it has to do with safety.
Sleeping in your car is unsafe both for you and others.
It’s unsafe for you in a couple of ways, especially in Minnesota—but I’ll get into that shortly.
The authorities would suggest it is unsafe for residents and businesses to allow people to sleep in their cars in the areas since they could be staking it out for robbery or other criminal activities.
Whether you agree with this or not, this is their justification.
Again, though, it’s important to stress that these ordinances are specific to each location, and not state-wide.
Of course, critics on the other side of the aisle would take a different view.
Indeed, many have suggested these laws are merely authoritarian crackdowns on homeless people.
So, is there anywere in Minnesota you can sleep in your car?
Where can I sleep in my car in Minnesota?
Naturally there are countless rest stops and rest areas along highways and interstates where you can rest and sleep for up to 8 hours.
Sleeping here is no problem and like I said, your best chance of getting a good night’s rest if you plan ahead.
Beyond that, anywhere even remotely rural will probably fine as long as you’re not on someone’s land.
If you’re only there for a little while, then you are unlikely to be found.
In any case, just don’t sleep anywhere you’re likely to be seen.
Is sleeping in your car safe in Minnesota?
So, there is a small question of personal safety.
Especially if you are in a highly populated area, you are much more likely to become the target of theft or crime.
Minnesota is a more unique one, though, because of the issue of temperature.
Many parts of the state get extremely cold, and if your heating fails during the night, then you may be in serious trouble.
Obviously, this is the case whether in a rest area or not.
My point is that you should consider whether you will actually be able to put up with sleeping in your car at all.
So, it isn’t illegal, but that doesn’t always mean you’ll have an easy time sleeping in your car in Minnesota.
In any busy area you will almost certainly get moved on, even if it is only after a while, and have to go elsewhere.
Repeat offences in areas with specific ordinances could see you slapped with a fine or other criminal penalty.
While sometimes you may have no other choice, this is why planning is so important.
If you’re going on a long journey, make sure you know where you can stop to sleep.