Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Massachusetts (2026)
8 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 6 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Sit-Lie Rules
Citywide rules against sitting or lying on public sidewalks during specified daytime hours in commercial corridors, including how courts have constrained enforcement.
Brockton
Heavy RestrictionsBrockton bans sleeping on any public property at any time, including entrances abutting sidewalks. Sec. 14-62, adopted…
Read full rule →Fall River
Heavy RestrictionsFall River makes it unlawful for anyone, with or without camping materials, to lie down or sleep on a public street…
Read full rule →Chelsea
Significant RestrictionsChelsea bars anyone from standing on a sidewalk or public way in a manner that blocks free passage for pedestrians or…
Read full rule →Springfield
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield, MA bans standing, loafing, or loitering on a street, sidewalk, bridge, or crossing in a way that obstructs…
Read full rule →Worcester
Some RestrictionsWorcester's Revised Ordinances make it unlawful to stand or place any obstruction, including a person's own body or…
Read full rule →Encampment Sanitation
How cities provide trash, hygiene, and bulky-item pickup at encampments, the CARE/CARE+ cleanups in LA, and the storage-of-belongings rules from Lavan v. LA.
Brockton
Heavy RestrictionsBrockton bans camping and storing personal property on any public property citywide. The city can remove a campsite…
Read full rule →Boston
Significant RestrictionsBoston bans camping or maintaining a campsite on any public property or right-of-way, streets, sidewalks, schools…
Read full rule →Fall River
Significant RestrictionsFall River bans camping, campsites, or leaving camping materials on public property without authorization, citing…
Read full rule →