Homelessness & Encampment Rules in San Jose, CA (2026)
4 verified homelessness & encampment rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
LAMC §41.18 Encampment Rule
Unlike Los Angeles, San Jose has no LAMC §41.18 equivalent. SJMC Chapter 13.44 prohibits camping in parks, SJMC Chapter 10.06 restricts overnight stays on city property, and SJMC Chapter 6.36 limits oversized-vehicle and RV parking. Enforcement must comply with Martin v. Boise.
San Jose Has No 41.18; Camping Restricted in Parks and ROW
Some RestrictionsSit-Lie Rules
San Jose enforces sit/lie and camping restrictions through SJMC Chapter 10.06, SJMC Chapter 13.44 (parks), and traffic laws on sidewalk obstruction. Constitutional limits from Martin v. Boise and Johnson v. Grants Pass require shelter availability before criminal enforcement of sleeping outdoors.
San Jose Sit-Lie and Camping Rules Bounded by Martin v. Boise
Some RestrictionsEncampment Sanitation
San Jose Department of Public Works conducts encampment abatements with at least 72-hour written notice, offers shelter through outreach, and stores unattended personal property for 90 days under Lavan v. Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2012). Hazardous waste is handled under California EPA standards.
San Jose Encampment Cleanups Require 72-Hour Notice and Property Storage
Some RestrictionsBridge Housing Siting
San Jose has aggressively expanded interim housing through California Project Homekey hotel conversions and modular Emergency Interim Housing villages. SJMC zoning amendments and AB-2553 streamline siting in commercial and industrial zones, with state CEQA exemptions for qualifying projects under Government Code §65660.
San Jose Project Homekey and Emergency Interim Housing Siting
Few RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Santa Clara County →