Sacramento restricts sitting, lying, or sleeping on certain sidewalks and rights-of-way, particularly downtown, with time-of-day windows, ADA exceptions, and shelter-availability requirements shaped by Martin v. Boise.
Sacramento City Code restricts obstructing public sidewalks, including sitting or lying in commercial corridors during business hours, and limits sleeping in public rights-of-way. Following the Ninth Circuit's Martin v. Boise decision and the Supreme Court's later Grants Pass ruling, Sacramento generally pairs enforcement with offers of shelter or services. ADA accommodations are required for people who must rest because of disability. The 2022 'Comprehensive Siting Plan' and Sacramento Steps Forward (the local Continuum of Care lead) coordinate outreach so that enforcement is paired with shelter referrals where capacity exists.
Citation, removal of obstructions, and possible misdemeanor exposure for repeat or aggressive blocking; ADA accommodations and shelter-availability defenses can apply depending on enforcement context.
See how Sacramento's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.