San Francisco, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

In the City and County of San Francisco, during the hours between seven (7:00) a.m. and eleven (11:00) p.m., it is unlawful to sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, or any object placed upon a public sidewalk.

(c)   Exceptions. The prohibitions in Subsection (b) shall not apply to any person:

1.   Sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk due to a medical emergency;

2.   Using a wheelchair, walker, or similar device as the result of a disability;

3.   Operating or patronizing a commercial establishment conducted on the public sidewalk pursuant to a sidewalk use permit;

4.   Participating in or attending a parade, festival, performance, rally, demonstration, meeting, or similar event conducted on the public sidewalk pursuant to and in compliance with a street use or other applicable permit;

5.   Sitting on a fixed chair or bench located on the public sidewalk supplied by a public agency or by the abutting private property owner;

6.   Sitting in line for goods or services unless the person or person's possessions impede the ability of pedestrians to travel along the length of the sidewalk or enter a doorway or other entrance alongside the sidewalk;

7.   Who is a child seated in a stroller; or

8.   Who is in an area designated as a Pavement to Parks project.

(d)   Warning. No person shall be cited under this Section unless the person engages in conduct prohibited by this Section after having been notified by a