Board conditionally reverses SFMTAovernight RV-parking rule after hours-long hearing

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Dec. 10 conditionally reversed a 10/01/2024 San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency decision that would have allowed the SFMTA director to ban overnight parking of large recreational vehicles (RVs) at particular locations across the city.

The action came after a four-hour public hearing that drew scores of speakers and advocates who said the change would tear familiesfrom their only available shelter. The board voted 7-3 to approve the motion to reverse the SFMTA decision in all respects within the boards jurisdiction and to direct staff to prepare written findings; supervisors Dorsey, Engardio and Mandelmann voted no.

Why it matters: Advocates and multiple service providers told the board that many families, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants and working people shelter in vehicles and that towing would result in the permanent loss of belongings, identity documents and medication. City and SFMTA staff said the change was intended as a narrowly used enforcement tool of last resort to address public-safety and traffic circulation problems at specific blocks, and that offers of shelter must be made before enforcement against an occupied vehicle.

What the board decided: Supervisor Aaron Preston made the motion to conditionally reverse the SFMTA resolution; Supervisor Connie Walton seconded. The clerk recorded 7 ayes and 3 nos; the board also voted to table the motion to affirm the SFMTA decision. The board directed the city attorney and staff to prepare…