Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Boston, MA (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Boston has no general sit-lie ban. Enforcement against unhoused individuals occupying sidewalks proceeds under Boston Code Ch. 16 (general public way obstruction) and MGL Ch. 272 §59 (loitering), applied with constitutional limits set by Martin v. City of Boise.
Boston pedestrian obstruction enforcement
Some RestrictionsEncampment Sanitation
Boston Public Works and BPHC operate scheduled cleaning and storage protocols at encampment sites, including the former Mass and Cass area. Personal property must be tagged, stored 90 days, and reclaimed via the Long Island Bridge Storage program before disposal.
Mass and Cass encampment sanitation protocols
Some RestrictionsLooking for Suffolk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boston city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Suffolk County →