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Ordinance#251103Passed
In plain English

The ordinance allows movie theaters that also serve food to host various entertainment activities and sell alcohol on-site. It also exempts certain theaters in the Upper Fillmore area from size limits for non-residential uses when selling wine and beer.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to authorize Movie Theaters that also operate as Bona Fide Eating Places to offer entertainment, cultural, artistic, dramatic, musical, or leisure activities, performances or exhibitions, and permit on-site wine, beer, and/or liquor, and make conforming changes in the Planning Code definitions of Bar and Bona Fide Eating Place uses; permitting certain Movie Theaters in the Upper Fillmore Neighborhood Commercial District to sell wine and/or beer without being subject to non-residential use size limits otherwise applicable in the District; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; 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: Nov 4, 2025
Final action: Feb 27, 2026
Official record β†—

How it got here

The legislation originated from a need to support struggling movie theaters in San Francisco by allowing them to sell alcohol and host events.

1
Introduction of OrdinanceNovember 4, 2025
Supervisor Sherrill

Supervisor Sherrill introduced the ordinance to amend the Planning Code to allow movie theaters that operate as bona fide eating places to sell alcohol and host various events.

Legistar action history
2
CEQA DeterminationNovember 14, 2025
Planning Department

The Planning Department determined that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

CEQA Det 111425
3
Support for LegislationDecember 10, 2025
Small Business Commission

The Small Business Commission unanimously voted in support of the legislation, highlighting its potential to enhance the business model of movie theaters.

SBC Response 121025
4
Recommendation for ApprovalJanuary 15, 2026
Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held a public hearing and adopted a recommendation for approval with modifications to the ordinance.

PC Transmittal 012126
5
Amendment of the WholeJanuary 26, 2026
Land Use and Transportation Committee

The Land Use and Transportation Committee amended the ordinance and recommended it for further consideration by the Board.

Leg Final
6
Final PassageFebruary 24, 2026
Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance, allowing certain movie theaters to sell alcohol and host events.

Legistar action history

Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record

Document trail
PDF β†—
Leg Dig Ver1
Official legislation text
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Referral CEQA PC 110725
Environmental review (CEQA)
PDF β†—
CEQA Det 111425
Environmental review (CEQA)
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PDF β†—
PC Transmittal 012126
Departmental transmittal
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PDF β†—
PDF β†—
Leg Dig Ver2
Official legislation text
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How they voted

RECOMMENDED AS COMMITTEE REPORT
Land Use and Transportation Committee Β· Feb 9, 2026Pass
3-0
AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF THE WHOLE BEARING NEW TITLE
Land Use and Transportation Committee Β· Jan 26, 2026Pass
3-0
CONTINUED AS AMENDED
Land Use and Transportation Committee Β· Jan 26, 2026Pass
3-0

Legislative journey

PresidentNov 4, 2025
β†’ASSIGNED UNDER 30 DAY RULE
Clerk of the BoardNov 7, 2025
β†’REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT
Planning DepartmentNov 14, 2025
Β·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Small Business CommissionDec 10, 2025
Β·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Planning CommissionJan 21, 2026
Β·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Land Use and Transportation CommitteeJan 26, 2026 – Feb 9, 2026
β†·CONTINUED AS AMENDEDPass
✎AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF THE WHOLE BEARING NEW TITLEPass
βœ“RECOMMENDED AS COMMITTEE REPORTPass
Board of SupervisorsFeb 10, 2026 – Feb 24, 2026
βœ“PASSED ON FIRST READINGPass
βœ“FINALLY PASSEDPass
MayorFeb 27, 2026
βœ“APPROVED