Let You Supervisor Know How You Feel About Their RV Ban Vote!
Updated 5.27.2025
Call ONE of the Supervisors. Note: only one of these Supervisors represents you. Find out which one here.
Call Script
My name is __________. I am a constituent, and my address is ________. I am a member of Indivisible SF.
If writing to Supervisor Fielder (District 9) or Supervisor Walton (District 10):
Thank you for voting no on the motion to ban RV parking in our city. [Add reasons why you are grateful.]
If writing to any other supervisor:
I was [disappointed, appalled, angered, etc] to hear that the Supervisor supported a ban on RV’s being parked for more than 2 hours.
[If your supervisor did not make public comment]
I would like to hear the supervisor’s reasons for their vote and would appreciate a response.
Background
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Passes Citywide RV Ban
Key Details of the Legislation
- Scope of the Ban: The new ordinance restricts parking for all oversized vehicles, including RVs, to a maximum of two hours on all city streets unless a valid permit is obtained[1][2][3].
- Vote Results: The measure passed with a 9-2 majority. Supervisors Jackie Fielder and Shamann Walton voted against the ban[1][2][3].
- Enforcement: Vehicles parked beyond the two-hour limit without a permit are subject to citation and potential towing[1][4].
- Exceptions: Commercial vehicles actively loading/unloading and those in designated industrial areas are exempt from the restrictions[1][4].
- Refuge Permit System: A renewable, six-month “refuge” permit will be available for people living in their vehicles, requiring compliance with community rules (such as waste disposal) and participation in housing support services[1][2].
Support Programs and Funding
- Housing and Transition Support: The city is allocating $13 million over two years for outreach, buyback programs, and transition resources to assist people currently living in RVs in moving towards permanent housing[2][4].
- Vehicle Buyback: There is a city-sponsored program for buying back RVs as part of the transition process[2][4].
Rationale and Responses
- Intent: The primary goal is to address safety and cleanliness issues associated with long-term vehicle dwellings while providing better housing pathways for those living in RVs. Mayor Daniel Lurie and co-author Supervisor Myrna Melgar emphasized a balance of “compassion and accountability”[2][4].
- Social Concerns: The legislation responds to longstanding issues—including language barriers that have left low-income, immigrant, and working-class families, particularly Latino families, overlooked in housing outreach efforts[3].
- Criticism: Opponents, including homeless advocates and the two dissenting supervisors, argue the measures are likely to displace hundreds of vehicle dwellers, many of whom cannot afford rent or have nowhere else to go[2][3][4].
In summary: San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has enacted strict citywide restrictions on RV and oversized vehicle parking, with limited exceptions and a new permit system, while pairing these restrictions with multi-million-dollar transitional support programs. The move is part of the city's ongoing efforts to address homelessness, public safety, and street cleanliness, but it faces criticism for the potential displacement of vulnerable residents[1][2][3][4].
References
[1] San Francisco sets parking limit on RVs to clear vehicle dwellers off streets https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/s-f-sets-parking-limit-rvs-clear-vehicle-20769933.php
[2] San Francisco RV ban approved by Board of Supervisors https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-francisco-rv-ban-approved-board-supervisors
[3] SF budget passes, RV ban approved - El Tecolote https://eltecolote.org/content/en/sf-budget-rv-ban-2025/
[4] SF Supervisors Limiting Homeless RV Parking in City to Two Hours https://californiaglobe.com/fr/sf-supervisors-limiting-homeless-rv-parking-in-city-to-two-hours/
[5] San Francisco RV ban approved by Board of Supervisors - KTVU https://www.ktvu.com/video/1675043
[6] SF supervisors back Lurie’s plan to address homelessness by tightening RV restrictions https://localnewsmatters.org/2025/07/18/sf-supervisors-back-luries-plan-to-address-homelessness-by-tightening-rv-restrictions/
[7] San Francisco tries new tack to battle homelessness: RV parking limits https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/18/nation/san-francisco-tries-new-tack-battle-homelessness-rv-parking-limits/
[8] SF Just Voted to Ban Long-Term RV Parking. What Happens to the People Inside? https://www.kqed.org/news/12048307/sf-just-voted-to-ban-long-term-rv-parking-what-happens-to-the-people-inside