San Francisco, CA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine range
- $50 to $500
- Charge level
- Infraction
- Applies to
- Public and private property citywide
- Exemption
- Verified medical conditions
Summary
San Francisco bans depositing human urine or feces on any public or private property citywide, punishable by a $50 to $500 fine per infraction.
It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or cause to be deposited any human urine or feces upon any public or private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon any private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license, or upon any private property without the consent of the owner, or in or upon any public property other than property designated or set aside for that purpose.
(b) Penalty. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction, the penalty for which shall be a fine which shall be not less than $50 nor more than $500.
(c) The Department of Public Works shall work with other City Departments to post and update on the City's website a list of the locations and hours of operation of all available City-operated restroom facilities.
(d) Exemption. Persons who violate this ordinance due to verified medical conditions shall be exempt from the enforcement provisions of this ordinance. (Added by Ord. 160-02, File No. 020293, App. 7/19/2002)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Police Code Section 153 makes it unlawful to deposit urine or feces on any public or private highway, right-of-way, private property without the owner's consent, or public property not designated for that purpose. The Department of Public Works must post City-operated restroom locations and hours online, and people who violate the section due to a verified medical condition are exempt from enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Infraction citation with a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500; medical-condition exemption applies with verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public urination illegal in San Francisco?
Is there any exemption from San Francisco's public urination law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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