Another way to phrase, sticky bit on directories gets ignored when not using --perms, -p. Suggestion: At the very least a strong mention in the docs/ man page under the --chmod entry. First, I point out one situation where I had it work, then I go on to describe the failing case. Finally, I show a combination which makes it work. (rsync Kung fu) *Sticky bit ON, on source dir drwxr-sr-t. 2 redleader rebels 32 Dec 30 18:32 new_data Use --perms, include trailing slash on source dir rsync -r -p new_data/ destination Result: works, sticky bit ON, on destination dir drwxr-sr-t. 3 redleader rebels 47 Dec 30 19:15 destination *Sticky bit OFF, on source dir drwxr-sr-x. 2 redleader rebels 32 Dec 30 18:32 new_data Attempt to chmod Sticky bit set on directories rsync -r --chmod=D+t new_data/ destination Result: fail, Sticky bit OFF on dest dir drwxr-sr-x. 2 redleader rebels 32 Dec 30 19:36 destination *Want to force the setting of the Sticky Bit on all dirs Starting with a mix of permissions $ ls -l new_data . .: drwxr-sr-x. 4 redleader rebels 39 Dec 30 19:38 new_data new_data: drwxrwsr-x. 2 redleader rebels 6 Dec 30 19:38 sticky_off drwxrwsr-t. 2 redleader rebels 6 Dec 30 19:38 sticky_on $ rsync -rp --chmod=D+t new_data/ destination Note: use -p [or --perms] and include the trailing slash on source_dir/ Result: All dirs have the sticky bit set $ ls -l destination . .: total 0 drwxr-sr-t. 4 redleader rebels 39 Dec 30 19:42 destination drwxr-sr-t. 4 redleader rebels 39 Dec 30 19:38 new_data destination: total 0 drwxrwsr-t. 2 redleader rebels 6 Dec 30 19:42 sticky_off drwxrwsr-t. 2 redleader rebels 6 Dec 30 19:42 sticky_on *Related point for anyone that is confused by the behavior of --chmod: Condition A: Sticky bit ON, on source dir drwxr-sr-t. 2 redleader rebels 32 Dec 30 18:32 new_data Use --perms, do not include slash on source dir rsync -r --perms new_data destination Result: ?, sticky bit OFF, on destination dir, but sticky ON new_data (now a subdir) drwxr-sr-x. 2 redleader rebels 32 Dec 30 19:25 destination destination/: drwxr-sr-t. 4 redleader rebels 39 Dec 30 19:52 new_data [Note: I found this behavior unintuitive, as chmod is being done on destination dir; I expected destination to have the permissions set as I specify in the rsync command, same behavior with other --chmod directives rsync -rp --chmod=Dg-w new_data destination. This follows expectations based on using the chmod command itself in a shell]