Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A UE may determine a set of resources available for transmission of one or more reference signals (e.g., one or more PRSs) in a shared radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band) in a time interval for sidelink positioning. The UE may transmit, in a second radio frequency spectrum, a control message reserving the set of resources for the UE to transmit the one or more reference signals in the time interval for sidelink positioning. The UE may transmit the one or more reference signals on the set of resources based on transmitting the control message reserving the set of resources.