SF Supervisors Limiting Homeless RV Parking in City to Two Hours

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved of a new recreational vehicle ban earlier this week, cutting the maximum time to park from overnight to only two hours.

For years, RVs parked on city streets in San Francisco has been a serious problem, with around 500 lived-in oversized vehicles counted in May by the Healthy Streets Operations Center. Living conditions in and around RVs can often be unsafe, with few basic services, trash and waste buildup, criminal activity, and property all growing concerns. The SF Board finally began to act with Mayor Daniel Lurie introducing new legislation last month.

While the new proposed RV policies included $13 million going towards outreach and buyback programs to help get those in RVs to more permanent shelter, it also included increased enforcement. According to the Mayor’s proposal, two-hour parking restrictions for large vehicles will be enforced citywide, with the exception of commercial vehicles actively loading or when parking in industrial zones. Vehicles without a valid large vehicle refuge permit will be subject to citation and potential towing as well.

Despite some homeless advocates decrying the move, the Board of Supervisors were overwhelmingly in favor of the action, voting 9-2 earlier this week.

“We found that a lot of families were living in vehicles they did not own. Someone else owned them and are charging a lot of money for rent and taking advantage of the desperation of people,” explained Supervisor Myrna Melgar.

“Our families in San Francisco deserve better than the RV homelessness we’ve seen on our streets for years,” added Mayor Lurie. “Those in vehicles deserve better options for raising their kids, and those just trying to walk down the street deserve safety and cleanliness. I am proud to stand with the Board of Supervisors today to pass a plan that will finally give all of our families what they deserve.

“With compassion and accountability, we will give those living in vehicles a better option and deliver safe and clean streets for our communities. This plan offers a path forward on what has long been an intractable challenge, and our administration will continue to work across city departments, with the Board of Supervisors, and alongside community partners to address it humanely and effectively and drive our city’s recovery.”

2 Hour limit in SF

While San Francisco is now cracking down on homeless RV usage, it remains a major issue elsewhere in the state. Cities including Sacramento and San Diego have had to deal with RVs and other vehicles used by homeless people lining streets in recent years. However, by far the most congested area is Los Angeles. Recent figures have shown around 11,000 people in Los Angeles County living in RVs. While bills have been introduced into the Los Angeles City Council to enact a similar measure to San Francisco’s, this has yet to come to fruition. There have been cleanout events and other actions, but with thefts, illegal dumping, and other problems associated with homeless RV dwellers continuing to grow, San Francisco’s new law could prove to be a model for other cities should it prove to work.

As of Friday, it is currently unknown when the new RV parking laws will come fully into force, as some living in RVs have a six month window with a temporary permit to stay in their RVs while they try and get housing.