S.F. board approves large-vehicle refuge permit after weeks of debate, public opposition

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency board voted 6–1 on June 17 to approve a program allowing certain large vehicles used for habitation to remain parked while occupants engage with city outreach and housing offers.

The program creates a “large vehicle refuge” permit that exempts qualified vehicles from a proposed citywide two-hour parking limit while a household is working with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to pursue housing. The board added amendments requiring the agency to evaluate reasonable accommodation requests from people with disabilities and to prepare a permanent-signage plan before enforcement begins. The measure passed with Director Kahina voting no.

The board and city staff said the permit is intended as a bridge while outreach teams connect vehicle residents to services, rapid-rehousing subsidies, noncongregate interim housing and other supports. Kunal Modi, chief of health, homelessness and family services in the mayor’s office, told the board: “In May 2025, our Healthy Streets Operations Center identified 501 large vehicles across San Francisco, with 437 being used for habitation.”

Marian Sanders, chief deputy director at the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, described the program’s service elements — dedicated peer-based outreach, a…