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Ordinance#250542Passed
In plain English

The ordinance allows more flexibility for businesses in certain districts by permitting various non-retail and retail uses on the ground and upper floors, with specific conditions and timelines. It also updates requirements for ground floor transparency and modifies definitions related to signage and non-residential uses for development fees.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to 1) principally permit certain non-retail sales and service uses, including general office, design professional, business services, non-retail professional services, and trade offices, on the ground floor in the C-3 (“Downtown Commercial”) Districts through December 31, 2030, after which such uses will be conditionally permitted, and make accompanying revisions to required ground floor uses and Floor Area Ratio; 2) principally permit retail sales and service uses on the second floor and above in the RC (“Residential-Commercial”) Districts; 3) principally permit non-retail sales and service uses on the second floor and above, and conditionally permit catering and laboratory uses on the ground floor in the RC Districts; 4) update transparency and fenestration requirements for ground floor actives uses and exempt child care facilities, homeless shelters, mortuaries, religious institutions, reproductive health clinics, and school uses from those requirements; 5) modify the definition of a Window Sign; 6) modify Planning review and approval of changes in copy of a Sign and Wall and Window Signs applied to doors, windows, or building facades; 7) modify the definition of a Non-Residential Use for the purposes of certain development impact fee waivers; and 8) modify permitted and required ground floor uses in the RH-DTR (“Rincon Hill Downtown Residential”) District, including uses in certain historic buildings, subject to various conditions; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making findings of consistency with the General Plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.

Introduced: May 20, 2025
Final action: Aug 1, 2025
Official record ↗

How it got here

The legislation originated from the Mayor's initiative to reform permitting processes in San Francisco, particularly to support economic recovery post-COVID-19.

1
Introduction of OrdinanceMay 20, 2025
Mayor Lurie

Mayor Lurie introduced the ordinance to amend the Planning Code to facilitate non-retail and retail uses in specific districts, aiming to streamline the permitting process.

MYR Memo 052025
2
CEQA DeterminationMay 28, 2025
Planning Department

The Planning Department determined that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act, allowing it to proceed.

CEQA Det 060425
3
Planning Commission ReviewJune 4, 2025
Planning Commission

The Planning Commission reviewed the ordinance and provided a response, affirming its alignment with the General Plan and priority policies.

Comm Pkt 063025
4
Approval with ModificationsJune 26, 2025
Planning Commission

The Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 21758, recommending approval of the ordinance with modifications to signage and transparency requirements.

PC Transmittal 062725
5
Committee AmendmentsJune 30, 2025
Land Use and Transportation Committee

The committee amended the ordinance, incorporating changes based on the Planning Commission's recommendations and continued it for further consideration.

Comm Pkt 063025
6
Committee ReportJuly 14, 2025
Land Use and Transportation Committee

The committee recommended the ordinance for approval to the full Board of Supervisors, highlighting its potential benefits for small businesses.

Comm Rpt Rqst Memo 070925
7
Final PassageJuly 22, 2025
Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance, affirming its importance for economic recovery and regulatory clarity.

Board Pkt 072225

Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record

Document trail
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Leg Dig Ver1
Official legislation text
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Referral CEQA PC 052825
Environmental review (CEQA)
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CEQA Det 060425
Environmental review (CEQA)
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PC Transmittal 062725
Departmental transmittal
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Leg Dig Ver2
Official legislation text
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Referral BLA 070325
Budget and Legislative Analyst
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How they voted

AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF THE WHOLE BEARING NEW TITLE
Land Use and Transportation Committee · Jun 30, 2025Pass
3-0
CONTINUED TO CALL OF THE CHAIR AS AMENDED
Land Use and Transportation Committee · Jun 30, 2025Pass
3-0

Legislative journey

PresidentMay 20, 2025
ASSIGNED UNDER 30 DAY RULE
Clerk of the BoardMay 28, 2025
REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT
Planning DepartmentJun 4, 2025
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Small Business CommissionJun 24, 2025
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Planning CommissionJun 27, 2025
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Land Use and Transportation CommitteeJun 30, 2025
CONTINUED TO CALL OF THE CHAIR AS AMENDEDPass
AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF THE WHOLE BEARING NEW TITLEPass
Clerk of the BoardJul 3, 2025
REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT
Land Use and Transportation CommitteeJul 14, 2025
RECOMMENDED AS COMMITTEE REPORTPass
Board of SupervisorsJul 15, 2025 – Jul 22, 2025
PASSED, ON FIRST READINGPass
FINALLY PASSEDPass
MayorAug 1, 2025
APPROVED