Fresno restricts sitting, lying, or sleeping on public sidewalks and right-of-way in ways that obstruct pedestrian traffic. Enforcement follows Ninth Circuit Martin v. Boise constraints when adequate shelter beds are unavailable.
The Fresno Municipal Code and related public-conduct provisions prohibit sitting, lying, or sleeping on public sidewalks, transit areas, and rights-of-way in ways that block pedestrian passage. The city has historically used these provisions in coordination with outreach by the Fresno-Madera Continuum of Care and shelter providers like Poverello House. Following Martin v. Boise and subsequent Ninth Circuit decisions, the city must coordinate enforcement with the availability of adequate emergency shelter, generally avoiding citation when no bed is available. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2024 Grants Pass decision relaxed federal constitutional limits, but Fresno's enforcement still emphasizes shelter offers and outreach pairing before citation.
Citations for obstructive sitting, lying, or sleeping on Fresno sidewalks can result in misdemeanor or infraction charges, fines, and removal of personal property, subject to required notice and storage rules.
Fresno, CA
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Fresno, CA
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See how Fresno's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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