Richmond regulates sitting, lying, and obstructing public sidewalks and rights-of-way under RVA Ch. 38 (Streets) and Ch. 24 (Offenses), balancing public passage requirements against constitutional concerns about criminalizing homelessness.
RVA Chapter 38 governs public streets and sidewalks, prohibiting obstruction of pedestrian passage, while Chapter 24 covers conduct offenses. Richmond's enforcement approach has been shaped by federal court rulings, including Martin v. Boise principles, that limit punitive sit-lie enforcement when shelter capacity is inadequate. The City coordinates with Homeward, the Richmond Continuum of Care lead agency, on outreach and shelter referrals as alternatives to citation. Time-place-manner restrictions remain enforceable in commercial corridors and around transit, but blanket prohibitions face constitutional scrutiny.
Obstructing sidewalks or refusing to move when lawfully directed may result in citations, though enforcement is constrained by federal court rulings and shelter availability.
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See how Richmond's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
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