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Form a Business

PERMIT PROCEDURES

SF-BUSTAX art. 1
in effect

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1 DESIGNATING DEPARTMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.

SEC. 1. DESIGNATING DEPARTMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. Permits shall be issued for the location and conduct of the businesses, enterprises or activities, enumerated hereinafter in Sections 1.1 to 1.77, inclusive, by the department or office authorized by Sections 1.1 to 1.77, inclusive, and Section 2 of this Article 1 to issue each such class of permit, and subject to the approval of other departments and offices of the City and County, where specifically designated in any such case; provided that permit or license fees as required by ordinance shall be collected by the Tax Collector as provided in Section 3 of this Article. (Amended by Ord. 242-69, App. 7/29/69; Ord. 443-86, App. 11/13/86; Ord. 367-88, App. 8/5/88; Ord. 230-17, File No. 171042, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.1 AMUSEMENT PARKS.

SEC. 1.1. AMUSEMENT PARKS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of amusement parks – by the Entertainment Commission. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64; amended by Ord. 193-05, File No. 051027, App. 7/29/2005)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.2 MASQUERADE BALLS.

SEC. 1.2. MASQUERADE BALLS. For the holding of masquerade balls – by the Entertainment Commission. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64; amended by Ord. 193-05, File No. 051027, App. 7/29/2005)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.3 CIRCUSES OR WILD WEST SHOWS.

SEC. 1.3. CIRCUSES OR WILD WEST SHOWS. For the holding of circuses or wild west shows – by the Entertainment Commission. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64; amended by Ord. 193-05, File No. 051027, App. 7/29/2005)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.5 STREETCARS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISING SIGNS.

SEC. 1.5. STREETCARS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISING SIGNS. For use of streetcars for displaying advertising signs – by the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.7 SECONDHAND DEALER.

SEC. 1.7. SECONDHAND DEALER. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of the business of secondhand dealer – by the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.8 SHOOTING GALLERIES.

SEC. 1.8. SHOOTING GALLERIES. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of shooting galleries – by the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.9 MINIATURE AND PRACTICE GOLF COURSES.

SEC. 1.9. MINIATURE AND PRACTICE GOLF COURSES. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of miniature and practice golf courses – by the Police Department; provided, that if the establishment of any such business requires the remodeling of any structure, this shall also require a building permit as required by ordinance. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.10 VEHICLES FOR HIRE.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.15 PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS.

SEC. 1.15. PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS. For the conducting of a public display of fireworks – by the Fire Department; subject to approval of the Police Department insofar as matters of traffic control are involved. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.17 SERVICE STATIONS.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.20 PUBLIC REPAIR GARAGES, PUBLIC STORAGE GARAGES, COMMERCIAL AND TRUCK GARAGES, AND AUTOMOBILE SALES GARAGES.

SEC. 1.20. PUBLIC REPAIR GARAGES, PUBLIC STORAGE GARAGES, COMMERCIAL AND TRUCK GARAGES, AND AUTOMOBILE SALES GARAGES. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of public repair garages, public storage garages, commercial and truck garages and automobile garages – by the Fire Department; subject to the approval of the Department of Public Works insofar as traffic control is concerned. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.20.1 AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS.

SEC. 1.20.1. AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of special branches of automobile repair shops – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 200-67, App. 7/28/67)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.21 REMOVING PAINT FROM BUILDINGS BY BURNING.

SEC. 1.21. REMOVING PAINT FROM BUILDINGS BY BURNING. For the removing of paint from buildings by burning – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.22 OIL-BURNING APPARATUS.

SEC. 1.22. OIL-BURNING APPARATUS. For the installation and use of oil-burning apparatus – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.24 DOG KENNELS.

SEC. 1.24. DOG KENNELS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of dog kennels by the Health Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64; amended by Ord. 140-25, File No. 250606, App. 8/1/2025, Eff. 9/1/2025)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.25 LAUNDRIES.

SEC. 1.25. LAUNDRIES. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of laundries including laundry delivery services doing business in the City and County of San Francisco subject to the approval of the Fire Department. (Amended by Ord. 53-82, App. 2/11/82; Ord. 140-25, File No. 250606, App. 8/1/2025, Eff. 9/1/2025)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.26 STABLES.

SEC. 1.26. STABLES. For the construction and maintenance of stables – by the Health Department; subject to the approval of the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.28 USE OF CITY AND COUNTY PROPERTY FOR DECORATION PURPOSES.

SEC. 1.28. USE OF CITY AND COUNTY PROPERTY FOR DECORATION PURPOSES. For the use of City and County property for decoration purposes – by the Real Estate Department; subject to the approval of any department having charge, management and control of the specific property involved. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.30 ROCK-CRUSHING MACHINES.

SEC. 1.30. ROCK-CRUSHING MACHINES. For the establishment and operation of rock-crushing machines – by the Central Permit Bureau; subject to the approval of the Department of Public Works. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.31 TEMPORARY BUILDINGS.

SEC. 1.31. TEMPORARY BUILDINGS. For the construction and maintenance of temporary buildings – by the Central Permit Bureau; subject to the approval of the Bureau of Building Inspection, Fire Department and Health Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.32 BLASTING OPERATIONS.

SEC. 1.32. BLASTING OPERATIONS. For conducting blasting operations – by the Central Permit Bureau; subject to the approval of the Department of Public Works and Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.33 BOILERS, ENGINES, AND CUPOLA FURNACES.

SEC. 1.33. BOILERS, ENGINES, AND CUPOLA FURNACES. For the installation and operation of boilers, engines and cupola furnaces – by the Central Permit Bureau; subject to the approval of the Bureau of Building Inspection and Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.34 GAS WORKS.

SEC. 1.34. GAS WORKS. For the construction and operation of gas works – by the Central Permit Bureau; subject to the approval of the Bureau of Building Inspection and Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.35 EMPLOYMENT OFFICES.

SEC. 1.35. EMPLOYMENT OFFICES. For the establishment and maintenance of employment offices – by the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.36 VENDING.

SEC. 1.36. VENDING. For Vending – by the Department of Public Works; subject to the approval of the Public Health Department for food Vending, if applicable (See Article 5.9 of the Public Works Code). (Amended by Ord. 242-70, App. 7/14/70; amended by Ord. 118-21, File No. 210566, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 44-22, File No. 211292, App. 3/22/2022, Eff. 4/22/2022)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.37 PAWNBROKER ESTABLISHMENTS.

SEC. 1.37. PAWNBROKER ESTABLISHMENTS. For the maintenance and operation of pawnbroker establishments – by the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.40 IMPORTING AND/OR EXPORTING FIREWORKS.

SEC. 1.40. IMPORTING AND/OR EXPORTING FIREWORKS. For importing and/or exporting fireworks – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.43 APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHES.

SEC. 1.43. APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHES. For the application of flammable finishes – by the Fire Department; subject to the approval of the Health Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.44 FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.

SEC. 1.44. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS. For the storage, handling, use, manufacturing, processing, refining or dispensing of flammable liquids – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.45 FLAMMABLE FUMIGANTS AND FOGS.

SEC. 1.45. FLAMMABLE FUMIGANTS AND FOGS. For the use of flammable fumigants and fogs – by the Fire Department; subject to the approval of the Health Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.47 WASTE MATERIAL HANDLING PLANTS.

SEC. 1.47. WASTE MATERIAL HANDLING PLANTS. For the operation and maintenance of waste material handling plants – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.49 STORAGE OF LUMBER AND READILY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.

SEC. 1.49. STORAGE OF LUMBER AND READILY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS. For the storage and handling of lumber and readily combustible materials – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.50 MAGNESIUM AND TITANIUM PROCESSING.

SEC. 1.50. MAGNESIUM AND TITANIUM PROCESSING. For the processing of magnesium and titanium – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.51 MOTION PICTURE THEATERS, THEATERS, PUBLIC ASSEMBLY UNITS, AND OPEN-AIR ASSEMBLY UNITS.

SEC. 1.51. MOTION PICTURE THEATERS, THEATERS, PUBLIC ASSEMBLY UNITS, AND OPEN-AIR ASSEMBLY UNITS. For the maintenance of motion picture theaters, theaters, and for the maintenance, operation and use of public assembly units and open-air assembly unit – by the Fire Department; subject to the approval of the Bureau of Building Inspection; for the operation of motion picture theaters, closed-circuit television theaters, live entertainment in theaters or any combination thereof – by the Police Department. (Amended by Ord. 29-71, App. 2/10/71)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.52 NITROCELLULOSE MOTION PICTURE FILM.

SEC. 1.52. NITROCELLULOSE MOTION PICTURE FILM. For the processing, storage and use of nitrocellulose motion picture film – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.53 NITROCELLULOSE PLASTICS.

SEC. 1.53. NITROCELLULOSE PLASTICS. For the processing and storage of nitrocellulose plastics – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.54 INDUSTRIAL BAKING AND DRYING OVENS.

SEC. 1.54. INDUSTRIAL BAKING AND DRYING OVENS. For the operation and use of industrial baking and drying ovens – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.55 STANDING ROOM, CANDY COUNTERS AND VENDING MACHINE SPACES.

SEC. 1.55. STANDING ROOM, CANDY COUNTERS AND VENDING MACHINE SPACES. For the use of standing room, candy counters and vending machines spaces – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.58 TIRE REBUILDING PLANTS.

SEC. 1.58. TIRE REBUILDING PLANTS. For the conduction and maintenance of tire rebuilding plants – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.59 WELDING AND CUTTING OPERATIONS.

SEC. 1.59. WELDING AND CUTTING OPERATIONS. For the conduction of welding and cutting operations – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.60 FLAMMABLE LIQUID TANK VEHICLES.

SEC. 1.60. FLAMMABLE LIQUID TANK VEHICLES. For the operation and use of flammable liquid tank vehicles – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.61 ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FOOD PRODUCTS AND MARKETING ESTABLISHMENTS.

SEC. 1.61. ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FOOD PRODUCTS AND MARKETING ESTABLISHMENTS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of food product and marketing establishments – by the Health Department. (Amended by Ord. 242-70, App. 7/14/70)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.62 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF MEAT AND MEAT FOOD PRODUCT VEHICLES.

SEC. 1.62. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF MEAT AND MEAT FOOD PRODUCT VEHICLES. For the maintenance and operation of meat and meat food products vehicles – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.64 ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS.

SEC. 1.64. ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of food preparation and service establishments – by the Health Department. (Amended by Ord. 242-70, App. 7/14/70)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.65 ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF SALVAGE GOODS AND MERCHANDISE DEALERS.

SEC. 1.65. ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF SALVAGE GOODS AND MERCHANDISE DEALERS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of salvage goods and merchandise dealers as defined in the Health Code – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.66 ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF CIGAR AND MATTRESS FACTORIES.

SEC. 1.66. ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF CIGAR AND MATTRESS FACTORIES. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of cigar and mattress factories – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.67 ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF PET SHOPS.

SEC. 1.67. ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF PET SHOPS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of pet shops – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.68 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF GARBAGE VEHICLES.

SEC. 1.68. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF GARBAGE VEHICLES. For the maintenance and operation of vehicles used for the transportation of refuse or garbage – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.69 ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF SWIMMING POOLS.

SEC. 1.69. ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF SWIMMING POOLS. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of swimming pools – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.70 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF PRIVATE AMBULANCES.

SEC. 1.70. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF PRIVATE AMBULANCES. For the maintenance and operation of private ambulances – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.71 USE OF HYDROCYANIC GAS, ETC.

SEC. 1.71. USE OF HYDROCYANIC GAS, ETC. For the use of hydrocyanic gas, etc. – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 94-68, App. 4/19/68)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.72 BUSINESS OF RETAIL FIREARMS DEALER, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF.

SEC. 1.72. BUSINESS OF RETAIL FIREARMS DEALER, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF. For the establishment, maintenance and operation of the business of firearms dealer – by the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 242-69, App. 7/29/69)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.74 MOBILE CATERING VEHICLES.

SEC. 1.74. MOBILE CATERING VEHICLES. For the operation of mobile catering units – by the Police Department subject to approval by the Health Department. (Added by Ord. 229-71, App. 9/10/71)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.75 WELLS AND WELL WATER.

SEC. 1.75. WELLS AND WELL WATER. For the operation, maintenance and use of wells and well water – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 450-77, App. 10/6/77)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.76 TESTERS OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION OR CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL DEVICES.

SEC. 1.76. TESTERS OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION OR CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL DEVICES. For the licensing of certified testers of backflow prevention or cross-connection control devices – by the Department of Public Health. (Added by Ord. 356-84, App. 8/24/84)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 1.77 CANNABIS BUSINESSES.

SEC. 1.77. CANNABIS BUSINESSES. For the establishment, maintenance, and operation of Cannabis Businesses by the Office of Cannabis. (Added by Ord. 275-05, File No. 051250, App. 11/30/2005; amended by Ord. 230-17, File No. 171042, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 2 APPROVAL OF CITY PLANNING COMMISSION.

SEC. 2. APPROVAL OF CITY PLANNING COMMISSION. The head of any department or office authorized to issue permits or licenses shall secure the approval of the City Planning Commission for any application for a permit or license, in any case where it is not clearly prescribed by the zoning ordinances and regulations of the City and County that the business, enterprise or activity for which application for a permit is made, can legally be established on or at the location covered in the application for permit.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 3 CERTAIN PERMITS TO BE DELIVERED TO TAX COLLECTOR.

SEC. 3. CERTAIN PERMITS TO BE DELIVERED TO TAX COLLECTOR. All permits issued by departments or offices as outlined in Section 1 of this Article that require the payment of a permit or license fee shall be issued by the departments designated, as a permit for the conduct of the specified business, enterprise or activity at the specified location, and such permit shall be delivered to the applicant by the Tax Collector on the payment to the Tax Collector of the fee required by law or ordinance.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 5 NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.

SEC. 5. NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. Permits affecting a change of the use or occupancy theretofore authorized by the City Planning Commission for a building or structure, or by the provisions of Chapter II (City Planning Code) Part II of the San Francisco Municipal Code, which change requires approval of the City Planning Commission, permits for moving of buildings from one site to another, and permits for new buildings and structures other than billboards erected for outdoor advertising display, shall be posted on the premises or property affected as hereinafter provided in this Section; provided, however, in the event any other Section of this Code or any ordinance of the City and County shall provide for the posting on the premises or property or advertising in the official newspaper of the City and County of any such permit or application for the same, the provisions of this Section shall not apply. Within two days after the issuance of said permits the department or officer issuing the same shall cause a copy thereof and the notice described in Section 6 hereof to be posted in a conspicuous place on the subject property or location affected by said permit. Posting shall be made on each lot on which a structure affected is located or is to be located, unless any such structure occupies more than one lot, in cases both of individual and multiple construction. Said copy shall remain so posted until the expiration of the 10-day period provided for appeal from the issuance of said permit. (Amended by Ord. 6007, App. 5/3/50)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 6 NOTICE TO BE ATTACHED TO COPY POSTED - COST OF POSTING.

SEC. 6. NOTICE TO BE ATTACHED TO COPY POSTED - COST OF POSTING. Each copy of a permit, posted as required in Section 5 of this Article, shall have attached thereto, during such posting, a notice which shall specify the following: (a) The name and address of the permittee. (b) That said permit has been issued authorizing the doing of the things set forth. (c) That any person who may deem that his interests or property or that the general public interest will be adversely affected as the result of operation authorized by or under such permit shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Appeals; that such right may be exercised by filing a notice of appeal from the order or decision granting said permit with the Board of Appeals at its office, within 10 days after the issuance of the permit, and that said notice of appeal may include a statement of grounds of appeal or objections to the issuance of said permit. (d) The date of the last day within which said notice may be filed. Unless otherwise provided by law, the cost of all posting required by Sections 5 and 6 hereof shall be paid by the applicant at the time of issuance of permit. The cost of each such posting shall be $2.50, except that only one fee of $2.50 shall be charged as to such posting of permits issued simultaneously to any one owner for the construction of two or more new buildings or structures of the same use or occupancy, size and construction located on the same or adjoining lots. In such instances, a fee of $0.25 shall be added as the cost of each such additional related posting. For this purpose, adjoining lots shall be deemed to include all lots facing on any one street which constitute a single area of land in any one block. (Added by Ord. 4541, App. 7/30/47) *Editor's Note: Sections 6.1-1 through 6.23-1 are located in Article 6 of this Code.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 7 INTERFERENCE WITH POSTING OR TAMPERING WITH NOTICE PROHIBITED - PENALTY.

SEC. 7. INTERFERENCE WITH POSTING OR TAMPERING WITH NOTICE PROHIBITED - PENALTY. Any person removing, tampering with or obliterating any notice posted, as provided herein, as well as any person who interferes with the posting of any such notice, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. (Added by Ord. 4541, App. 7/30/47)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 8 METHOD OF APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS.

SEC. 8. METHOD OF APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS. (a) Except for permits issued by the Entertainment Commission or its Director, and as otherwise specified in this Section 8, Planning Code Section 1006.7 2 Planning Code Section 308.2, or as specifically provided in other sections of the Municipal Code, appeals to the Board of Appeals shall be taken within 15 days from the making or entry of the order or decision from which the appeal is taken. Appeals of variance decisions shall be taken within 10 days after the date of the written variance decision. (b) Appeals to the Board of Appeals of permit decisions made pursuant to a Housing Sustainability District shall be taken within 10 days of the permit decision. This subsection (b) shall expire on the latter of the Sunset Date of Planning Code Section 343 or Section 344, as defined in those Sections. Upon the expiration of this subsection, the City Attorney shall cause this subsection to be removed from the Business and Tax Regulations Code. (c) Appeals to the Board of Appeals of permit decisions made pursuant to Planning Code Section 207, subsection (c)(6), shall be taken within 10 days of the permit decision. (d) Appeals of actions taken by the Entertainment Commission or its Director on the granting, denial, amendment, suspension, or revocation of a permit, or on denial of exceptions from regulations for an Extended-Hours Premises Permit, shall be taken within 10 days from the making of the decision. Nothing in this Section 8 is intended to require an appeal to the Board of Appeals if any provision of Article 15, Article 15.1 (Entertainment Regulations Permit and License Provisions), or Article 15.2 (Entertainment Regulations for Extended-Hours Premises) of the Police Code governing these permits otherwise provides. (e) Appeals shall be taken by filing a notice of appeal with the Board of Appeals and paying to said Board at such time a filing fee as follows: (1) Zoning Administrator, Planning Department, Director of Planning, and Planning Commission. (A) For each appeal from the Zoning Administrator’s variance decision, the fee shall be $600. (B) For each appeal from any order, requirement, decision, or other determination (other than a variance) made by the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Department or Commission or the Director of Planning, including an appeal from disapproval of a permit which results from such an action, the fee shall be $600. (2) Department of Building Inspection. (A) For each appeal from a Department of Building Inspection denial, conditional approval, or granting of a residential hotel or apartment conversion permit, the fee shall be $525. (B) For each appeal from the granting or denial of a building demolition or other permit (other than residential hotel conversion).1 the fee shall be $175. (C) For each appeal from the imposition of a penalty only, the fee shall be $300. (3) Police Department and Entertainment Commission. (A) For each appeal from the denial or granting of a permit or license issued by the Police Department, Entertainment Commission, or the Director of the Entertainment Commission, to the owner or operator of a business, the fee shall be $375; for each such permit or license issued to an individual employed by or working under contract to a business, the fee shall be $150. (B) For each appeal from the revocation or suspension of a permit or license by the Police Department, Entertainment Commission, or the Director of the Entertainment Commission, the fee shall be $375 for an entity or individual. (4) Department of Public Works. For each appeal from the decision of the Director of the Department of Public Works concerning street tree removal by a City agency, commission, or department, the fee shall be $100. (5) For each appeal from any other order or decision, the fee shall be $300. (6) For requests for rehearing under Section 16 of this Article 1, the fee shall be $150. (7) For requests for jurisdiction, the fee shall be $150. (8) An exemption from paying the full fee specified in subsections (e)(1) through (7) herein may be granted upon the filing under penalty of perjury of a declaration of indigency on the form provided and approved by the Board. All agencies of the City and County of San Francisco are exempted from these fees. (9) Additional Requirements. (A) Notice of appeal shall be in such form as may be provided by the rules of the Board of Appeals. (B) On the filing of any appeal, the Board of Appeals shall notify in writing the department, board, commission, officer, or other person from whose action the appeal is taken of such appeal. On the filing of any appeal concerning a structural addition to an existing building, the Board of Appeals shall additionally notify in writing the property owners of buildings immediately adjacent to the subject building. (C) Except as otherwise specified in this subsection (e)(9)(C), the Board of Appeals shall fix the time and place of hearing, which shall be not less than 10 nor more than 45 days after the filing of said appeal, and shall act thereon not later than 60 days after such filing or a reasonable time thereafter. (i) In the case of a permit issued by the Entertainment Commission or its Director, the Board of Appeals shall set the hearing not less than 15 days after the filing of said appeal, shall act thereon not more than 30 days after such filing, and shall not entertain a motion for rehearing. (ii) In the case of a decision on a permit application made pursuant to Planning Code Section 343, the Board of Appeals shall set the hearing not less than 10 days after the filing of said appeal, shall act thereon not more than 30 days after such filing, and shall not entertain a motion for rehearing. This subsection (e)(9)(C)(ii) shall expire on the Sunset Date of Planning Code Section 343, as defined in that Section. Upon the expiration of this subsection, the City Attorney shall cause this subsection to be removed from the Business and Tax Regulations Code. (iii) In the case of a decision on a permit or determination of compliance regarding a homeless shelter located on City owned or leased property during a declared shelter crisis, the Board of Appeals shall set the hearing not less than 10 days after the filing of said appeal, shall act thereon not more than 30 days after such filing, and shall not entertain a motion for rehearing. (iv) In the case of a decision on a permit or determination of compliance regarding a homeless shelter located on City owned or leased property during a declared shelter crisis, the Board of Appeals shall set the hearing not less than 10 days after the filing of said appeal, shall act thereon not more than 30 days after such filing, and shall not entertain a motion for rehearing. (D) With respect to any decision of the Board of Appeals related to any “dwelling” in which “protected class members” are likely to reside (each as defined in Administrative Code Chapter 87), the Board of Appeals shall comply with the requirements of Administrative Code Chapter 87 which requires, among other things, that the Board of Appeals not base any decision regarding the development of such units on information which may be discriminatory to any member of a “protected class.” (E) Pending decision by the Board of Appeals, the action of such department, board, commission, officer or other person from which an appeal is taken, shall be suspended, except for: (i) actions of revocation or suspension of a permit by the Director of Public Health when determined by the Director to be an extreme public health hazard; (ii) actions by the Zoning Administrator or Director of the Department of Building Inspection stopping work under or suspending an issued permit; (iii) actions of suspension or revocation by the Entertainment Commission or the Director of the Entertainment Commission when the suspending or revoking authority determines that ongoing operation of the activity during the appeal to the Board of Appeals would pose a serious threat to public safety; (iv) actions of the Director of the Office of Cannabis awarding a Temporary Cannabis Business Permit; (v) actions pursuant to a permit or determination of compliance by the Departments of Public Works or Building Inspection regarding homeless shelters during a declared shelter crisis; and (vi) actions of the Director of Public Health under Section 4613(c) of the Health Code summarily suspending an Overdose Prevention Program permit or revoking such a permit after a summary suspension. (Amended by Ord. 315-81, App. 6/21/81; Ord. 95-86, App. 3/21/86; Ord. 27-88, App. 1/28/88; Ord. 255-88, App. 6/22/88; Ord. 434-88, App. 9/16/88; Ord. 285-89, App. 8/2/89; Ord. 340-92, App. 11/5/92; Ord. 61-96, App. 2/9/96; Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97; Ord. 191-98, App. 6/12/98; Ord. 295-98, Eff. 11/4/98; Ord. 306-99, File No. 990497, App. 12/3/99; Ord. 223-01, File No. 011578, App. 11/16/2001; Ord. 193-05, File No. 051027, App. 7/29/2005; Ord. 102-09, File No. 090543, App. 6/23/2009; Ord. 239-09, File No. 080323, App. 11/20/2009; Ord. 172-11 , File No. 110506, App. 9/12/2011, Eff. 10/12/2011; Ord. 195-14 , File No. 140776, App. 9/19/2014, Eff. 10/19/2014; Ord. 230-17, File No. 171042, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 281-18, File No. 180453, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019, Oper. 1/7/2019; Ord. 60-19, File No. 190045, App. 4/4/2019, Eff. 5/5/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 105-20, File No. 200243, App. 7/10/2020, Eff. 8/10/2020; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 221-25, File No. 250889, App. 11/21/2025, Eff. 12/22/2025; Ord. 222-25, File No. 250892, App. 11/21/2025, Eff. 12/22/2025; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026) CODIFICATION NOTES 1. So in Ord. 281-18. 2. So in Ord. 221-25.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 8(a) EFFECTIVE DATE FOR COLLECTION OF FILING FEE.

SEC. 8(a). EFFECTIVE DATE FOR COLLECTION OF FILING FEE. The fee to be paid by the appellants as provided in Section 8 hereof shall become effective and be due for all appeals pending as of October 31, 1947, and thereafter upon filing notice of appeal, appellants shall pay the filing fee to the Secretary of the Board. (Added by Ord. 4757, App. 12/22/47)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 9 INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED TO BOARD OF APPEALS.

SEC. 9. INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED TO BOARD OF APPEALS. Upon receiving such notice it shall be the duty of the department, board, commission or person making the order or decision appealed from, to forthwith scrutinize the same and within three days notify the Board of Appeals, in writing, of the names and addresses of any known persons, firms, corporations or associations not named in the notice of appeal who or which opposed appellant in the matter in which the appeal is taken. (Amended by Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 10 RECORD FORWARDED TO BOARD OF APPEALS.

SEC. 10. RECORD FORWARDED TO BOARD OF APPEALS. Upon receipt of notice of appeal it shall be the duty of the department, board, commission or person from whose decision the appeal is taken to transmit to the Board of Appeals the original application or complaint upon which the license or permit was granted, refused or revoked, and all affidavits, exhibits, letters, maps or other documents used upon the hearing before such department, board, commission or person. The application or complaint and all documents, exhibits and records forwarded therewith shall be returned to the department, board, commission or person from whose order or decision the appeal was taken, immediately after final decision by the Board of Appeals, with a statement of the decision of said Board, certified by the President or Vice-President and Secretary thereof. (Amended by Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 11 COURT REPORTER - FEES; VIDEOTAPE OF PROCEEDINGS AS ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD.

SEC. 11. COURT REPORTER - FEES; VIDEOTAPE OF PROCEEDINGS AS ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD. (a) Court Reporter; Fees. The Board of Appeals shall designate a competent court reporter as official reporter of the Board. Except as provided in subsection (b) below, the reporter shall attend all hearings of the Board and shall take down by phonographic report all the testimony, the objections made, the rulings of the Board, and all statements and remarks made, oral instructions given by the Board and the voting on all cases heard by the Board. The fees for the reporter for reporting all of the proceedings and testimony as outlined above shall be a legal charge against the City and County of San Francisco. When requested to do so by any party or parties in writing the official reporter must, within a reasonable time after the request has been made, transcribe such specific portions as may be requested and certify to the same as being correctly reported and transcribed. The fees for such transcription shall be at the expense of the party requesting the transcript thereof. The Board of Appeals shall approve the reporter's schedule of rates and fees for reporting and transcription services in connection with Board of Appeals' proceedings. (b) Videotape or Audiotape of Proceedings as Administrative Record. In lieu of attendance at the hearing by a court reporter, the Board is authorized to use the Department of Telecommunications and Information Technology's Citywatch Cable Channel videotape of the Board's proceedings as the administrative record of the hearing. When requested to do so by any party or parties in writing, a copy of the videotape or such specific portions as may be requested must be provided by Citywatch within a reasonable time after the request has been made. The fee for such videotape copy shall be at the expense of the party requesting it. It shall be the burden of the party requesting the videotape to obtain at its own expense any transcription of the tape. If such a transcription is made, the party obtaining the transcription shall provide a copy to the Board for its records. (Amended by Ord. 154-66, App. 7/6/66; Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97; Ord. 53-02, File No. 020319, App. 4/26/2002)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 11(a) CITY ATTORNEY - REPRESENTATION OF PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT STAFF.

SEC. 11(a). CITY ATTORNEY - REPRESENTATION OF PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT STAFF. For appeals from decisions of the Planning Commission, the Zoning Administrator, the Building Inspection Commission, and the Planning and Building Departments, the following procedure shall be followed by staff to ensure that there is adequate legal advocacy on behalf of those departments in matters that involve important public policy or legal significance. (1) Staff of the Board of Appeals shall send to the Deputy City Attorney who has been designated by the City Attorney to be counsel to the Planning Department and the Department of Building Inspection a copy of (1) the advance or draft agendas at regular intervals and the final agenda for each meeting as soon as it is prepared, (2) all Notices of Appeal within 5 working days of when they are received by the staff of the Board of Appeals; and (3) any brief submitted to the Board of Appeals immediately upon receipt by the staff of the Board of Appeals. (2) The Zoning Administrator, Planning Department staff, and the Building Department staff member assigned to the Board of Appeals shall consult with their designated Deputy City Attorney concerning any appeals of decisions involving their respective commissions or departments. (3) The department staff representative shall determine whether an appeal presents any issues of important public policy and the City Attorney's Office shall have the discretion to determine whether an appeal presents any issues of legal significance. The City Attorney's Office shall have the discretion to determine what level of participation by the City Attorney's Office is appropriate in order to defend the department's decision before the Board of Appeals. The applicable department will allow for the City Attorney's Office representation based on that determination. The criteria used to make these determinations shall include, but not be limited to, whether the appeal: (a) Challenges a decision of the Planning Commission or Building Inspection Commission; (b) Challenges a Zoning Administrator interpretation of a provision of the Planning Code; (c) Involves a matter that is likely to lead to litigation; (d) Raises novel issues of law. The services of the City Attorney's Office in advising and representing the Planning Department, including the Zoning Administrator, and Building Department in matters before the Board of Appeals shall be funded by those departments and not chargeable to the Board of Appeals. (4) The Zoning Administrator, Planning Department staff, and the Building Department staff member assigned to the Board of Appeals shall ensure that Section 10 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code is complied with such that the complete record from the department whose decision is being appealed from shall be made available to each Commissioner at least one week before the hearing on the appeal. Any staff report that was prepared below shall be included in the packet for each hearing. (Added by Ord. 253-06, File No. 061212, App. 10/11/2006)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 12 MAILING NOTICE OF HEARING.

SEC. 12. MAILING NOTICE OF HEARING. Notices of hearing appeals shall be sent by the Secretary of the Board by United States mail to the appellant and all other parties interested as shown by the record of the Board at such time before the hearing as the rules of the Board may prescribe, and the certificate of the Secretary of mailing said notices shall be evidence thereof. In addition, notice of the hearing shall be sent to all owners and, to the extent practical, occupants of properties within 150 feet of the property that is the subject of the appeal in the same Assessor's Block and on the block face across from the subject property. When the subject property is a corner lot, notice shall further include all property on both block face across from the subject property, and the corner property diagonally across the street. The latest City-wide Assessor's roll for names and addresses of owners shall be used for said notice. (Ord. 173-06, File No. 060143, App. 6-29-06)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 13 FILING REQUEST FOR NOTICE OF HEARING.

SEC. 13. FILING REQUEST FOR NOTICE OF HEARING. Any person, firm, corporation, association or City and County department, board, commission or City and County official may file with the secretary of the Board of Appeals a request for notice of hearing of the appeal, and such person, firm, corporation, association, City and County department, board, commission or City and County official shall be added to the list of parties and thereafter receive notice of all proceedings before the Board as herein prescribed. (Amended by Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 14 HEARING AND DECISION.

SEC. 14. HEARING AND DECISION. The Board of Appeals shall hear the applicant, the permit holder or other interested parties, as well as a representative of the department from whose action the appeal is taken. After said hearing and such further investigations as the Board may deem necessary, but not later than 60 days or a reasonable time after the filing with it of the first appeal, the Board may concur in the action of the department authorized to issue, transfer or revoke the permit, or may overrule the action of said department and order that the permit be granted, restored, denied, or permitted to be transferred, as the case may be. Any immediately adjacent property owner who requested discretionary review of a permit by the Planning Commission and prevailed, in whole or in part, shall have the status of a party under this Article or the Board's rules in any appeal of the permit to the Board of Appeals by the project sponsor. Status of a party includes, but is not limited to, the right to any notices provided to parties, the right to receive service of papers filed by other parties to the appeal, equal time for an oral presentation including rebuttal time, service of the Board's decision, and the right to request a rehearing; provided, however, that if there is more than one such adjacent property owner, the Board of Appeals may, at its discretion, limit the time for oral presentation to three minutes for each adjacent property owner and a combined total of three minutes rebuttal for all adjacent property owners. (Amended by Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97; Ord. 205-00, File No. 000800, App. 9/1/2000)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 16 REHEARINGS.

SEC. 16. REHEARINGS. Rehearings may be had only upon motion of a member of the Board and upon the vote of at least four members thereof, or if a vacancy exists, by a vote of three members. (Amended by Ord. 280-98, App. 8/28/98)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 17 PERMITTING SUBSTITUTES FOR METAL BADGES.

SEC. 17. PERMITTING SUBSTITUTES FOR METAL BADGES. Wherever in Part III of the Municipal Code or in any other part of said Code there appears a requirement for a metallic badge, plate, tag or shield, the officer responsible for the issuance thereof may substitute a nonmetallic material therefor. (Added by Ord. 509-60, App. 10/21/60)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 22 PROVIDING FOR POSTING AND FORM OF NOTICE OF HEARING, APPLICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PERMITS.

SEC. 22. PROVIDING FOR POSTING AND FORM OF NOTICE OF HEARING, APPLICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PERMITS. On the filing of any application for the issuance or transfer of a permit for any purpose specified in this Section, or the filing of a notice of intention to revoke any permit, except in any case where such proposed revocation is due to the failure to pay the fee fixed by law or ordinance, the department responsible for the approval of such application, shall fix the time and place of hearing thereon, which shall be not less than 10 nor more than 20 days from the filing of said application, and shall cause to be conspicuously posted upon the premises involved in such application not less than 10 days before said public hearing, notice of such application and the time and place of hearing thereon. Said notice shall also set forth the name of the applicant and the purpose for which the application is made. The department in which the application is filed shall cause said notice to be posted. The lettering of the words in said notice, "Notice of Application for...Permit," shall be one-inch type, and all other lettering shall be one-half-inch type. After the posting of said notice the applicant shall maintain said notice as posted the required number of days. The classes of permits referred to in this Section 22 are: Service stations, commercial parking permits, public repair garages, public storage garages, commercial and truck garages, automobile sales garages, hospitals, exclusive of hospitals for sick animals, dog kennels, places of refuge and detention, junkyards or premises, livery stables, riding academies and riding schools, pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers, secondhand clothing dealers and secondhand furniture dealers, encounter studios, retail firearms dealers, nursing homes, day nurseries, nursery schools, play schools, kindergartens, and children’s institutions, but shall not include private family boarding homes for aged or children. (Amended by Ord. 355-85, App. 7/12/85; Ord. 219-10, File No. 100639, App. 8/12/2010; Ord. 140-25, File No. 250606, App. 8/1/2025, Eff. 9/1/2025)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 23 ACTION ON OTHER APPLICATIONS.

SEC. 23. ACTION ON OTHER APPLICATIONS. All other applications for the issuance, transfer or revocation of permits shall be subject to action on or issuance by the department or office specified by law or ordinance; provided, however, that those classes of business or occupation required to secure quarterly or other periodical permits from the Entertainment Commission or Police, Health or Fire Departments, respectively, as provided by ordinance shall, after their original approval and issuance thereof by the department concerned, be subject to issuance by the Tax Collector for each successive period on the application of the person, firm or corporation conducting such business or occupation. The Tax Collector is hereby authorized to issue the license for the next quarter or other period fixed by law or ordinance unless: 1. The department issuing the permit files written objection with the Tax Collector to such renewal or continuance; 2. The permittee does not have a current business tax registration certificate, when such business tax registration certificate is required pursuant to Article 12 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code. In case of any such objection by the department concerned, or when the permittee does not have a current business tax registration certificate when so required by Article 12 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code, the license applied for shall not be continued or renewed by the Tax Collector, and the applicant therefor must file application with said department for the renewal or continuance of the original permit. The Tax Collector shall, within 45 days after the expiration of the period covered by any quarterly or other periodical permit, notify the department authorized to issue said permit of the failure of any permit holder to apply for a renewal or a continuance thereof, and shall likewise immediately notify the Chief of Police or Entertainment Commission of any delinquency on the part of any permit holder in paying the fees required by law or ordinance for such permit. (Amended by Ord. 345-88, App. 8/4/88; Ord. 193-05, File No. 051027, App. 7/29/2005)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 24 INSPECTION BY DEPARTMENT - REVOCATION OF PERMITS.

SEC. 24. INSPECTION BY DEPARTMENT - REVOCATION OF PERMITS. Any department authorized to issue, revoke or transfer permits or to act on applications for any of said purposes, may detail such members or employees of said department as are required for the investigation and inspection of applications for permits subject to issuance by said department, and for the inspection or regulation of the conduct of any business or occupation, under such permit. Any department may revoke any permit subject to issuance by said department when it shall appear that the business or calling of the person, firm, or corporation to whom it was granted is conducted in a disorderly, improper or hazardous manner, or that the place in which the business is conducted or maintained is not a proper or suitable place in which to conduct or maintain such business or calling.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 25 ADVISORY BOARD.

SEC. 25. ADVISORY BOARD. The Police Commission and the Fire Commission, respectively, shall serve as advisory boards to the Chief of Police and the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, respectively, in the hearings on permit applications, transfers and proposed revocations required by Section 22 of this Article, and each of said advisory boards shall make such recommendation to the head of the department concerned as in its judgment the facts established by any such hearing shall warrant. (Amended by Ord. 2928, App. 10/9/44)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 26 FACTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY DEPARTMENTS.

SEC. 26. FACTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY DEPARTMENTS. (a) Subject to subsection (b), in the granting or denying of any permit, or the revoking or the refusing to revoke any permit, the granting or revoking power may take into consideration the effect of the proposed business or calling upon surrounding property and upon its residents, and inhabitants thereof; and in granting or denying said permit, or revoking or refusing to revoke a permit, may exercise its sound discretion as to whether said permit should be granted, transferred, denied, or revoked. (b) In the granting or denying of any permit, or the revoking or the refusing to revoke any permit with respect to a "dwelling" in which "protected class members" are likely to reside (each as defined in Administrative Code Chapter 87), the granting or revoking power shall comply with the requirements of San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 87 which requires, among other things, that the granting or revoking power not base any decision regarding the development of "dwellings" in which "protected class" members are likely to reside on information which may be discriminatory to any member of a "protected class" (As all such terms are defined in San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 87). (c) A department authorized to issue or transfer permits shall not issue or transfer a permit to any person who does not have a current business tax registration certificate when such person is required to obtain a business tax registration certificate pursuant to Section 1003 of Part III of the San Francisco Municipal Code. (d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this Section, the provisions of Article 15.1 (Entertainment Regulations Permit and License Provisions) and Article 15.2 (Entertainment Regulations for Extended-Hours Premises) of the Police Code shall govern actions taken on the granting, denial, amendment, suspension and revocation of permits regulated under those Articles, not the standards set forth in Subsection (a). (e) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the provisions of Planning Code Section 343 shall govern actions taken on the granting, denial, amendment, suspension, and revocation of permits regulated under that Section 343, not the standards set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 26. This subsection (e) shall become operative upon receipt of preliminary approval of Planning Code Section 343 by the California Department of Housing and Community Development under California Government Code Section 66202. This subsection shall expire by the operation of law in accordance with the provisions of Planning Code Section 343(k). Upon its expiration, the City Attorney shall cause this subsection to be removed from the Business and Tax Regulations Code. (Amended by Ord. 345-88, App. 8/4/88; Ord. 307-99, File No. 990498, App. 12/3/99; Ord. 239-09, File No. 080323, App. 11/20/2009; Ord. 281-18, File No. 180453, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019, Oper. 1/7/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 222-25, File No. 250892, App. 11/21/2025, Eff. 12/22/2025)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 27 FEES.

SEC. 27. FEES. Persons applying for permits enumerated in Section 22 of this Article which are subject to the approval of the Fire Department shall, upon filing the application, pay a fee of $27 to cover the posting and advertising costs of said application, which fee shall be paid to the department to which said application is made. (Amended by Ord. 13-85, App. 1/11/85)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 28 PUBLICATION, CERTAIN APPLICATIONS.

SEC. 28. PUBLICATION, CERTAIN APPLICATIONS. All applications for the classes of permits referred to in Section 22 of this Article and applications for the transfer thereof, also notice to revoke same, except in any case where such proposed revocation is due to the failure to pay the license or permit fees fixed by law or ordinance, shall be published once in the official newspaper of the City and County, within 10 days after the filing thereof with the department concerned. The cost of the publication of applications for permits and applications for transfer of permits shall be paid by the applicant at the time of filing. The cost charged shall be the rate for such publication set by the official newspaper in effect on the date of application. (Amended by Ord. 175-80, App. 5/2/80)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 29 POSTING NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF PERMITS.

SEC. 29. POSTING NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF PERMITS. Written notice of the issuance of all other permits by departments shall be posted for a period of five successive days by the department issuing such permit on a bulletin board to be maintained in a conspicuous place accessible to the public in the office where the original application is filed. The issuance, revocation or transfer of any permit enumerated in Section 22 of this Article shall not take effect until 10 days after action thereon, during which period appeal may be made to the Board of Appeals from the action taken by the department concerned. (Amended by Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 30 APPEALS TO BOARD OF APPEALS.

SEC. 30. APPEALS TO BOARD OF APPEALS. On the issuance, denial or revocation of any permit, any applicant for a permit who is denied such permit, or any permittee whose permit is ordered revoked, or any person who deems that his interest or property, or that the general public interest will be adversely affected as the result of operations authorized by or under any permit granted or issued, or the transfer thereof, may appeal to the Board of Appeals. Such appeal shall be in writing, and except for variances, shall be filed with the Board of Appeals not later than 15 days after the action of the department from which the appeal is taken. An appeal from the decision on a variance shall be filed with the Board of Appeals not later than 10 days after the action of the Zoning Administrator. The form and notice of said appeal, and the procedure thereon, shall be as provided by ordinance, and when not so provided then in such form as is provided by the Board of Appeals. (Amended by Ord. 255-88, App. 6/22/88; Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 31 APPLICATIONS BARRED FOR ONE YEAR.

SEC. 31. APPLICATIONS BARRED FOR ONE YEAR. Whenever any person, firm or corporation shall make application for any permit, pursuant to the provisions of this Article, and said permit shall be denied by any officer, board, department or commission having jurisdiction so to do, and no appeal from the denial of said permit shall be taken, as provided in this Article, or when any appeal shall be taken to the Board of Appeals from any action or order of any officer, board, department or commission granting or denying any permit in connection with which appeal to the Board of Appeals is provided for and said Board of Appeals shall, in the instance where said permit has been granted, overrule, and in the instance where such permit had been denied, concur in, the judgment or order of said officer, board, department or commission, said application for said permit, nor for a like permit covering the same location, shall not be renewed nor shall the same be heard by the officer, board, department or commission to whom or to which the original application was made until the expiration of one year from the date of the action on said original application by said officer, board, department or commission and there shall be no appeal to said Board of Appeals for failure or refusal to hear any such application within said one-year period, provided that when any permit is denied by reason of definite existing conditions which prevent the granting of said permit, and said conditions are removed or remedied, the one-year's prohibition against reapplication will not apply. (Amended by Ord. 992, App. 1/14/41; Ord. 128-97, App. 4/9/97)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 32 COORDINATED AND STREAMLINED CITY REVIEW OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, MODIFICATION, AND/OR OPERATION OF A PRINCIPALLY PERMITTED COMMERCIAL USE; EXPEDITED PROCESS AND WAIVER OF ADDITIONAL FEES WHERE DEPARTMENT ERROR REQUIRES ADDITIONAL PROCESSING.

SEC. 32. COORDINATED AND STREAMLINED CITY REVIEW OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, MODIFICATION, AND/OR OPERATION OF A PRINCIPALLY PERMITTED COMMERCIAL USE; EXPEDITED PROCESS AND WAIVER OF ADDITIONAL FEES WHERE DEPARTMENT ERROR REQUIRES ADDITIONAL PROCESSING. (a) General Requirement. City departments that are responsible for reviewing permit applications for the establishment, modification, and/or operation of a principally permitted storefront commercial use shall develop a process for the coordinated and streamlined review of those permit applications, with timely responses from applicants, and any inspections required in connection with the applications, in order to (1) ensure that San Francisco’s commercial corridors remain thriving, (2) support existing businesses in adapting their business models in a changing economic environment, (3) improve access for business owners from all backgrounds to successfully open their business in San Francisco, and (4) protect the City’s tax base. (b) Deadline for Implementation of Coordinated and Simplified Review Process. The City departments subject to this Section 32 include, but are not limited to, the Planning Department, Department of Building Inspection, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and Health Department. No later than 30 days from the effective date of this Section 32, the subject City departments shall implement a coordinated and simplified process for the review of all applications for principally permitted storefront commercial uses, and shall periodically review and update the process. (c) Concurrent Review of Complete Permit Applications. Relevant departments shall perform a concurrent review of the permit application, when such review would reduce the length of the permit review process, provided the applicant submits a complete and accurate application. To the maximum extent feasible, this review shall be completed within 30 days of the date a complete application is submitted. If this review is not or cannot be completed within 30 days, the reason or reasons therefor shall be provided to the applicant, explaining why a decision could not be made on the permit application, the necessary steps to complete review, and the time needed to finalize review after receiving any additional information necessary to complete such review. (d) Pre-Approval Inspections. If inspection of the proposed use is required before operation may begin, the inspection shall be limited to compliance with the items on an adopted checklist of objective threshold requirements for business operation. To the maximum extent feasible, the City departments involved shall coordinate their inspections and schedule them within two weeks of a request. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Municipal Code, an applicant may submit an inspection report by a qualified entity as determined and authorized by the head of the reviewing Department. (e) Conditional Approvals. Where only minor corrective action is required before the proposed use may operate, a reviewing City department shall grant conditional approval so long as the Director of the department has found that no substantial hazard will result from operation of the use, or portion thereof. If the minor corrective action is not completed within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by the Director of the department, the failure to perform the corrective action shall be deemed a code violation which may be abated pursuant to the requirements of the applicable code. (f) Expedited Process and Waiver of Additional Fees Where Department Error Results in Additional Review. Where a reviewing City department has made a significant error late in the application process in interpreting code requirements or determining the approvals required, and the error affects the timeliness of the City’s review, as determined by the Director of the involved department, the department shall expedite the additional review. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of the Municipal Code, said department shall waive any fees applicable to the additional review. If the applicant or agent submits false or misleading information, no fee waiver shall apply. (Added by Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020; amended by Ord. 111-21, File No. 210285, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 35 FEE FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

SEC. 35. FEE FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. (a) Unless otherwise specifically provided, all fixed fees for inspection or permits which involve the Department of Public Health shall be payable in advance annually. A filing fee of $298 payable in advance to the Department of Public Health for each inspection for a permit is required for a first-time inspection of a premises or thing if such inspection is requested or required as a condition of the issuance of a first permit or of a first license, except applications for permits for ambulances, refuse trucks, swill trucks, fumigation site surveillance, soft-serve ice cream machines and hazardous material storage. (b) When two or more food product and marketing establishments or food preparation and service establishments, or any combination thereof, subject to inspection are located on the same premises, are not contiguous to each other, and are conducted by one owner whether person, firm or corporation, a permit shall be required for each such establishment. (c) When the owner or lessee of premises where said class or classes of business are located or conducted does not directly or indirectly conduct the same, the owner or lessee of said premises shall not be required to obtain a permit for said premises or pay any fee imposed by this Section. (d) Any application for a special event referred to in Section 452(b) of the San Francisco Health Code shall be accompanied by fees set out in Section 249.11(c) of the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code. (e) Exemptions. The following establishments are exempt, as set forth in Section 249.1 of this Code, from paying fees: (1) Food preparation and service establishments used exclusively by day care facilities for children. (2) Food preparation and service establishments funded through the San Francisco Commission on Aging for nutrition projects for older individuals. (f) Whenever the Department of Public Health provides environmental health inspection services, permit review, or training services, including in response to a permit or license application, in response to a complaint alleging violation of a permit or license condition, or applicable laws, or by request, a fee of $167 per hour will be charged for service by environmental health inspectors, and a fee of $150 per hour will be charged for service by environmental health technicians. When these services are provided during nonregular working hours, a fee of $174 per hour will be charged. “Environmental Health Inspection services, permit review, or training services” includes but is not limited to reviewing applications, plans and blueprints, providing consultations, and making site inspections. (g) When the Department of Public Health, while in the process of conducting inspections of businesses required to have a valid Permit To Operate, issued by the Department of Public Health, finds violations of local, state law or federal law, requiring follow up inspection(s) to determine if the documented violations have been corrected, the permitted establishment is liable for payment to the Department of Public Health a fee of $75 per half-hour of on-site inspection services. Violations subject to reinspection fees include those listed as high-risk violations on the Department of Public Health food inspection report. (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 35, when the Department of Public Health conducts inspections, permitting, and enforcement of solid waste facilities, as defined in Section 40194 and required by Section 43209 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code, as may be amended from time to time, a fee of $251 per hour will be charged for service by environmental health inspectors, and a fee of $229 per hour will be charged for service by environmental health technicians. (i) When the Department of Public Health offers training, classes, or examinations to the person in charge of the operation of a food facility and food handlers, such as a food safety classes and food safety examinations as required by Section 113947 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code, as may be amended from time to time, a fee of $188 per training, class or examination will be charged. The Department of Public Health may require a deposit in advance, which shall be returned to the depositor upon advance notice of cancellation in accordance with Department policy. (j) Beginning with Fiscal Year 2024–2025, fees set forth in Sections 35, 120, 248, 249, 249.1, 249.2, 249.6, 249.7, 249.8, 249.11, 249.12, 249.13, 249.14, 249.15, 249.16, and 249.20 may be adjusted each year, without further action by the Board of Supervisors, as set forth in this Section 35. Not later than April 1, the Director shall report to the Controller the revenues generated by the fees for the prior fiscal year and the prior fiscal year's costs of operation, as well as any other information that the Controller determines appropriate to the performance of the duties set forth in this Section. Not later than May 15, the Controller shall determine whether the current fees have produced or are projected to produce revenues sufficient to support the costs of providing the services for which the fees are assessed and that the fees will not produce revenue that is significantly more than the costs of providing the services for which the fees are assessed. The Controller shall, if necessary, adjust the fees upward or downward for the upcoming fiscal year as appropriate to ensure that the program recovers the costs of operation without producing revenue which is significantly more than such costs. The adjusted rates shall become operative on July 1. (Ord. 270-85, App. 5/30/85; amended by Ord. 443-86, App. 11/13/86; Ord. 341-88, App. 7/28/88; Ord. 244-91, App. 6/24/91; Ord. 207-93, App. 6/25/93; Ord. 131-97, App. 4/18/97; Ord. 117-01, File No. 010515, App. 6/1/2001; Ord. 5-05, File No. 041588, App. 1/8/2005; Ord. 149-08, File No. 080744, App. 7/30/2008; Ord. 140-25, File No. 250606, App. 8/1/2025, Eff. 9/1/2025)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 36 FEES, PENALTY FOR NONPAYMENT.

SEC. 36. FEES, PENALTY FOR NONPAYMENT. If any fee provided for in Sections 35 and 35.1 of this Article shall not be paid within 30 days after the same shall become due and payable as herein provided, 10 percent of the amount thereof shall be added thereto as a penalty for nonpayment, and if said fees are not paid within 60 days after becoming due 15 percent of the amount thereof shall be added thereto, and if not paid within 90 days after becoming due 25 percent of the amount thereof shall be added thereto. (Amended by Ord. 478-60, App. 9/15/60)

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 37 INSPECTIONS, HOW MADE.

SEC. 37. INSPECTIONS, HOW MADE. The inspections for which the fees provided for in Section 35 of this Article are imposed shall be made by the officer, board or commission charged by law or ordinance with making said inspection.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 38 DISPLAY OF CERTIFICATE.

SEC. 38. DISPLAY OF CERTIFICATE. All certificates of inspection when issued shall at all times be displayed in the premises for which the same are issued, said display to be made in such manner that said certificate shall at all times be visible to the public.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 39 DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICERS.

SEC. 39. DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICERS. All police officers in addition to their several duties as police officers are hereby required to examine all premises in their respective beats subject to the fee imposed in Section 35 of this Article and to see that such fees have been paid and in addition to Deputy Tax Collectors shall have and exercise the power: First, to make arrests for violation of any of the provisions of Sections 35 to 38, inclusive, of this Article; Second, to enter free of charge at any time any premises which is required by Sections 35 to 38, inclusive, of this Article to pay an inspection fee and to demand the exhibition of the receipt of such inspection fee for the current term, and if such person shall then and there fail to exhibit such receipt from the Tax Collector such person shall be liable to the penalty provided for violation of Sections 35 to 39, inclusive, of this Article. It is hereby made the duty of the police officers to cause complaints to be filed against corporations occupying premises within their respective beats and not having paid the inspection fee, with their addresses, and deliver such list to the Tax Collector. The Chief of Police is hereby directed to carry into effect the provisions of Sections 35 to 39, inclusive, of this Article.

SF Business and Tax Regulations Code § 40 PENALTY.

SEC. 40. PENALTY. Any person, firm or corporation maintaining or attempting to maintain any of the premises mentioned in Sections 35 to 38, inclusive, of this Article, without the payment of the inspection fee therein provided for, or guilty of violating any of the provisions of Sections 35 to 39, inclusive, of this Article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $300 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a term not exceeding three months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Source: City and County of San Francisco, Charter and Municipal Codes (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_business/0-0-0-50197Fetched: 11/1/2026

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