SF to Begin RV Parking Ban With Housing Support
Published October 31, 2025
The Facts
On November 1, San Francisco will begin enforcing a new RV parking ordinance, limiting oversized vehicles to two-hour parking in any single location. The legislation, passed in July, includes $108 fines and potential towing for violations.
To support the transition, the city has issued 270 permits to existing RV dwellers, allowing them to park without time limits for six months while they work with case managers according to Sydney Johnson at KQED. The city allocated $12.9 million for the program, which funds 165 rapid rehousing vouchers and a vehicle buyback program offering $3,000 to $7,000 for those who transition to housing, according to Maggie Angst at The Chronicle.
The Context
The number of people living in vehicles in San Francisco rose 37% between 2022 and 2024, with 90% of the city's unsheltered families living in vehicles. The highest concentrations are in Bayview-Hunters Point, the Mission, and near Lake Merced, where residents have reported issues with blocked sight lines, lost parking, and illegal dumping.
The GrowSF Take
The permit system and dedicated vouchers are signs of a government working strategically, offering real alternatives instead of just punishment. By combining accountability with resources, the city can address legitimate resident complaints while treating everyone with dignity.