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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-000208.txt : 20040106
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-000208.hdr.sgml : 20040106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040106141506
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-000208
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040105
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040106

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLUFORD PETER
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001234384

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30171
		FILM NUMBER:		04509355

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES IN STE.A-100
		STREET 2:		POINT RICHMOND TECH CENTER 501 CANA BLVD
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94804

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001001233
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
		IRS NUMBER:				680359556
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 CANAL BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE A100
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94804
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5109706000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 CANAL BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE A100
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94804
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2004-01-05</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001001233</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SGMO</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001234384</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLUFORD PETER</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES IN STE.A-100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>POINT RICHMOND TECH CENTER 501 CANA BLVD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RICHMOND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94804</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>VP, Corporate Development</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2004-01-05</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value></value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>500</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>5.34</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>D</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>151791</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>400</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>I</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <natureOfOwnership>
          <value>By Trust for Son</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeHolding>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>400</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>I</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <natureOfOwnership>
          <value>By Trust for Son</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeHolding>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>400</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>I</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <natureOfOwnership>
          <value>By Trust for Daughter</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeHolding>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">The sales reported in this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the Reporting Person on April 22, 2003.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by each of his children and this report shall not be deemed to be an admission that Mr. Bluford is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Peter Bluford</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2004-01-06</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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