San Francisco, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice before removal
- 24 hours, written
- Property storage
- At least 90 days
- Coverage
- All public sidewalks citywide
- Precondition
- Housing/shelter must be offered
Summary
Tents and similar structures are banned from public sidewalks citywide, but the City must offer housing or shelter and give 24 hours' notice before removal.
In the City and County of San Francisco, it is unlawful to place an Encampment upon a public sidewalk. This prohibition shall not apply to the placement of an Encampment on a public sidewalk pursuant to and in compliance with a street use permit or other applicable permit.
(d) Offer of Housing, Shelter and Homeless Services. Prior to ordering a person to remove an Encampment or prior to removing the Encampment, the City officer or employee enforcing subsection (c) shall offer Housing or Shelter to all residents of the Encampment who are present. The City officer or employee shall also offer Homeless Services to residents of the Encampment who are present. The offer of Housing or Shelter and Homeless Services shall also be made through the notice required by subsection (f). The City shall not enforce the prohibition of subsection (c) unless there is available Housing or Shelter for the person or persons residing in the Encampment.
(e) Enforcement. The prohibition of subsection (c) may be enforced by: (1) the Department of Public Health, (2) the Department of Public Works, and (3) the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, if such department exists, or if it does not exist, a department the focus of which is the provision of housing and services to homeless persons. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing may issue regulations or guidelines necessary or appropriate to aid in the enforcement and implementation of this Section
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Police Code Sec. 169 bans placing a tent or other enclosed structure large enough to sit or lie in on a public sidewalk citywide. Before removal, the City must offer Housing, Shelter, and Homeless Services to residents present, and cannot enforce the ban unless Housing or Shelter is actually available. Written notice is required 24 hours before removal; seized personal property must be stored at least 90 days.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Departments of Public Health, Public Works, and Homelessness and Supportive Housing via removal after 24-hour written notice; hazardous or contraband items may be seized and discarded, other property stored 90+ days at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can San Francisco remove a tent without offering shelter first?
How long is seized property kept?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
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