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San Antonio, TX Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Code section
City Code Sec. 21-26
Where it applies
Downtown central business district only
Warning required
Yes, before any citation
Penalty
Class C misdemeanor, up to $500
Enforcing agency
San Antonio Police Department

Summary

San Antonio bars sitting or lying in the downtown right-of-way when it blocks pedestrians, but only after a police warning. The central-business-district rule under City Code Sec. 21-26 is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $500.

(b) A person commits an offense if, after having been notified by a law enforcement officer that the conduct violates this section, the person continues to sit or lie down in the right-of-way between the roadway and the abutting property line or structure, or on an object placed in that area, in a manner that would: (1) Hinder the unobstructed passage of a person; (2) Require a person to take evasive action to avoid physical contact... (e) Any person who engages in any activity specified in subsection (b) may be subject to prosecution for a class C misdemeanor and a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under San Antonio Code Sec. 21-26, you commit an offense in the downtown central business district if, after a law enforcement officer warns you, you keep sitting or lying in the right-of-way between the roadway and the abutting property line in a way that hinders passage, forces someone to take evasive action, or blocks a building entrance. The San Antonio Police Department enforces it. Exceptions cover medical emergencies, wheelchair users, sidewalk-cafe patrons, parade or festival crowds, people seated on public or private benches, and riders waiting within a bus stop. No culpable mental state is required to prove the offense.

Violations & Fines

A violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500. An officer must warn you first, and the rule applies only inside the defined downtown central business district.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Antonio's sit-lie rule apply citywide?
No. Sec. 21-26 applies only inside the defined downtown central business district near Commerce, Alamo, Durango and Interstate 10. Sitting or lying outside that zone is not covered.
Can I be cited for just sitting on a downtown sidewalk?
Not immediately. An officer must first warn you, and you must keep sitting or lying in a way that hinders pedestrians or forces them to take evasive action.
Are there exceptions to the rule?
Yes. Medical emergencies, wheelchair users, sidewalk-cafe patrons, parade or festival crowds, people on public or private benches, and riders waiting within a bus stop are all exempt.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Antonio

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All San Antonio rules

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