Fall River's Homelessness & Encampment Rules: The Rules That Matter

If you live in Fall River or are thinking about moving there, homelessness & encampment rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Fall River has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of homelessness & encampment rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Sit-Lie Rules

Fall River makes it unlawful for anyone, with or without camping materials, to lie down or sleep on a public street, sidewalk, bike path, or public way.

Key details: Adopted: 9-24-2024, Ord. No. 2024-33. Covers: Streets, sidewalks, bike paths. Applies: With or without camping materials. Fine exemption: If homeless & shelter unavailable.

Enforced under the noncriminal procedure at §§ 2-1021 through 2-1025 of the City Code; a fine is not imposed if the person is homeless, shelter is unavailable, and they're willing to go to a shelter once space becomes available.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fall River actively enforces its sit-lie rules requirements.

Encampment Sanitation

Fall River bans camping, campsites, or leaving camping materials on public property without authorization, citing sanitation risks, and lets the City remove and destroy materials at unauthorized sites.

Key details: Adopted: 9-24-2024, Ord. No. 2024-33. Authorization needed from: Park Board / Mayor / state-federal official. Unauthorized materials: May be removed and destroyed. Fine exemption: If homeless & shelter unavailable.

Enforced through the noncriminal procedure under §§ 2-1021 through 2-1025 of the City Code, but no fine is imposed if the person is homeless, no shelter bed is available, and the person is willing to go to a shelter once space opens up.

This is one of the stricter rules in Fall River's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Fall River is tougher than many cities when it comes to homelessness & encampment rules. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fall River, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Fall River can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.