Large Vehicle Refuge Permit Program

1. Overview of Large Vehicle Refuge Permit and Appeals

The Large Vehicle Refuge Permit allows people living in large vehicles to park without being subject to the City’s two-hour parking limit for oversized vehicles. A large vehicle is defined as an RV, trailer, house car, mobile home, or any vehicle longer than 22 feet or taller than 7 feet.

The permit is a physical sticker issued by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). It must be visibly displayed on the outside of the vehicle at all times. The permit does not reserve or guarantee a specific parking space.

Key Rules

• Each household is eligible for one permit.
• Permits cannot be transferred to another vehicle or household.
• All other parking laws still apply, including:
  • Street cleaning schedules
  • Parking meters
  • Driveway clearance
  • Color curb restrictions
  • Residential Parking Permit (RPP) time limits
  • Two-hour restriction on property owned by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department or the Port of San Francisco
• Permit holders must:
  • Stay engaged in case management services through the City’s outreach program.
  • Follow the Large Vehicle Good Neighbor Policy.
  • Allow Public Works to clear debris around the vehicle.
  • Display the permit sticker visibly on the outside of the vehicle.

The City will regularly evaluate the Large Vehicle Refuge Permit Program and develop other permit exceptions as needed.

Duration of the Permit

• Initial Term: Up to 6 months, or until the City offers the permit holder permanent housing or non-congregate interim housing (such as shelter with a private room), whichever comes first.
• Extensions:
  • May be extended once for up to 6 months if no housing offer has been made.
  • Additional extensions may be granted at the discretion of SFMTA, in consultation with Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH).

Eligibility and How Permits Are Issued

To qualify for a permit, applicants must:

• Living in a large vehicle in San Francisco on May 31, 2025 (verified through the City’s Large Vehicle Database)
• Be certified by HSH as currently experiencing vehicular homelessness and engaging in services.

Permits will be issued by Street Team Outreach Staff beginning October 1st, 2025

Permit Revocation

Permits may be revoked if:

• Any permit conditions are violated.
• The permit holder stops engaging in case management services.
• False information was provided during the appeals process.
• There is an attempt to transfer the permit to another vehicle or household.
• The City offers permanent or non-congregate interim housing and the offer is not accepted.

2. Large Vehicle Good Neighbor Policy

To keep your Large Vehicle Refuge Permit, you must follow the City’s Good Neighbor Policy. These rules are designed to promote safety, keep streets clean, and support positive relationships between all residents.

Permit Display

• Place your permit sticker on the left rear bumper of your vehicle so it’s always visible.

Keep Streets Clean

• Keep sidewalks and walkways clear.
• Keep my belongings inside my vehicle.
• Allow the Department of Public Works to clean around my vehicle

Keep Streets Safe

• No open flames in or around my vehicle.
• No connection to city or private utilities (water, electricity, etc.).
• No noise from generators or similar equipment that is loud enough to be heard from 50 feet away.

Enforcement

The City uses a progressive enforcement approach for this policy:

• First and second violations: Courtesy notices will be issued.
• Third violation: A final notice will be issued before revocation.
• If a permit is revoked, the vehicle becomes subject to the two-hour parking limit and may be cited or towed.
• For violations that pose an immediate safety risk, SFMTA may tow the vehicle without prior notice.

Following the Good Neighbor Policy helps maintain your permit and ensures the program works well for everyone, both vehicle residents and surrounding neighbors.

Reminders for Permit Holders

• Display your permit sticker on the left rear bumper
• Keep sidewalks clear and belongings inside your vehicle
• Dispose of waste only at designated dump stations
• Allow Public Works to clear debris around your vehicle
• No open flames in or around your vehicle
• No hookups to city or private utilities
• Be mindful of noise levels

3. Appeal your LVRP Permit Revocation Decision

If your Large Vehicle Refuge Permit was revoked and you believe this decision was made in error, you may submit an appeal. Your appeal must be submitted within 72 hours of the revocation notice. Your appeal may be submitted through one of the following options:

1. Online - You may submit documents to the online portal for review by City staff.
2. Mail - Send required documents (evidence, signed affidavit, and filled appeal form) to this address: SFMTA Large Vehicle Review c/o Customer Service, 11 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94103.
3. In-person - Provide required documents (evidence, signed affidavit, and filled appeal form) to the SFMTA Customer Service team at 11 South Van Ness Ave.

You may request support from San Francisco Street Team Outreach staff member to help with your appeal when the team is working in your area.

Please provide all of the following required documents:

1. One or more documents that may reasonably infer your permit should not have been revoked. Documents may include, but are not limited to:
   1. Documentation showing Good Neighbor Policy violations were not valid
   2. Documentation showing you did not stop engaging in case management services
   3. Documentation showing you provided accurate information during the appeals process
   4. Documentation showing there was not an attempt to transfer the permit to another vehicle or household
   5. Documentation showing why the City's offer of permanent or non-congregate interim housing could not be accepted
   6. For assistance gathering evidence to support your appeal, consult the appeal documentation checklist (English, Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Turkish, Vietnamese).
2. An affidavit signed under penalty of perjury affirming that applicant(s) are experiencing vehicular homelessness and were present and occupying a large vehicle on May 31, 2025, and that the document(s) submitted are valid. Download and complete the affidavit if submitting via mail or in-person (English, Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Turkish, Vietnamese).
3. An appeal form. Download and complete appeal form if submitting via mail or in-person (English, Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Turkish, Vietnamese).

Appeal Review

• City staff will review your documents and notify you of a decision by email within 5 business days.
• During the appeal process, your permit will continue to remain active.
• If your appeal is approved, your case manager will contact you to discuss the decision.
• If your appeal is denied, your permit will be revoked after 10 days.

Administrative Hearing

Within 10 calendar days of the appeal review results notice date, the Person may file a hearing request. The request may be filed by telephone, in writing, or electronically. Late requests or not attending a scheduled hearing satisfies the hearing requirement and will result in the permit decision being upheld. The administrative hearing process shall include all of the following:

1. The administrative hearing shall be conducted in accordance with written procedures established by the Director of Transportation of the SFMTA.
2. The procedures shall not set conditions, establish special circumstances, establish special remedies, impose other directives, or overturn procedures established by the LVP. The Hearing Officer’s authority is limited by the requirements established by Section 917 of the Transportation Code.
3. Whenever an administrative hearing is requested, the SFMTA Hearing Section shall, within 10 calendar days of receipt of the request, notify the parties of the date, time, and place of the administrative hearing.
4. Such hearing shall be held no later than 30 calendar days from the date of the hearing request.
5. The administrative hearing shall be conducted by an independent, objective, fair, and impartial Hearing Officer assigned or contracted by the SFMTA Hearing Section.
6. The parties may present evidence and testimony to the Hearing Officer. All testimony shall be under oath.
7. The Hearing Officer shall issue a written decision to uphold or overturn the permit decision.
8. Notices are sent by mail first-class to the address listed on the DMV vehicle registration and a preferred address by the Person, as well as electronically (if opted in), personally hand delivered, or posted on the vehicle in a conspicuous place.

The administrative hearing is the final administrative review process. If you wish to seek an Administrative Hearing to review this decision, you may request one within 10 calendar days of this notice through one of the following options:

1. Phone: Call 415-646-2016
2. Email: hearings.general@sfmta.com
3. Mail: SFMTA Administrative Hearings Section c/o Customer Service, 11 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94103
4. In-person: Customer Service, 11 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94103

To learn more about the Large Vehicle Administrative Hearing Process, see San Francisco Transportation Code Section 917 ( Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Turkish, Vietnamese).

Superior Court Appeal

If the decision upholds the permit denial or revocation, the Person may file at their own expense an appeal with the Superior Court pursuant to applicable law.

Process Subject to Change

The processes outlined above are subject to change or refinement.