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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EPfaMz+X54ww2iIHTDZ7aTBUBbn3gW5Jz8k0YDPDOnP9rmq6VQqJXHoryVyntCj+
 X66kcj1NphIIVZTRZgZcvQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-05-003154.txt : 20050128
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-05-003154.hdr.sgml : 20050128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050128195014
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-05-003154
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LARSON JOHN WILLIAM
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001234387

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30171
		FILM NUMBER:		05559723

	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"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001001233</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SGMO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001234387</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LARSON JOHN WILLIAM</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES INC. SUITE A-100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>POINT RICHMOND TECH CNTR, 501 CANAL BL.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RICHMOND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94804</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>218900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>144460</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust</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 May 25, 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares held indirectly by Reporting Person under the ML&amp;B 401(k) VITC as Trustee.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/John William Larson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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