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 declined to enact a categorical sit-lie ban after Martin v. City of Boise (9th Cir. 2018) (persuasive but not binding in MA) and Johnson v. Grants Pass (U.S. 2024) reshaped the constitutional landscape. The City instead enforces Boston Code Ch. 16-12 (obstruction of public ways) on a case-by-case basis when individuals block pedestrian flow, business entrances, or ADA-required passage widths. Boston Police coordinate with the Boston Public Health Commission's outreach teams who attempt to connect individuals with shelter, including the Pine Street Inn and St. Francis House network, before any enforcement. The 2023 Mass and Cass redirection plan provides a template for service-first responses.
Citations for obstructing public ways carry small fines but are typically deferred while outreach attempts service connection; arrest is reserved for repeat or aggravated cases.
See how Boston's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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