This ordinance expands the hours restriction on retail food and tobacco establishments in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, prohibiting them from opening between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., or 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. for those regulated by alcohol laws. It also extends the pilot program's duration by 18 months beyond its original July 2026 expiration date.
Ordinance amending the Police Code to expand the current Tenderloin retail hours restriction pilot program, under which retail food and tobacco establishments in the restricted area are prohibited from being open to the public from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., or from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. if subject to regulation by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, to encompass a high-crime area across the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods; and to extend the duration of the pilot program, currently set to expire in July 2026, to instead expire 18 months from the effective date of this Ordinance.
How it got here
The legislation originated from a need to address rising crime rates in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, prompting the expansion of an existing retail hours restriction pilot program.
The City implemented a two-year pilot program restricting the operating hours of retail food and tobacco establishments in a defined area of the Tenderloin to address late-night conditions associated with drug activity and related crime.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee received an ordinance request to expand the current Tenderloin retail hours restriction pilot program to include the South of Market neighborhood and extend its duration.
The committee recommended the legislation for passage, highlighting the need to address ongoing crime issues in the expanded area.
The Small Business Commission opposed the legislation, citing concerns about its impact on small businesses affected by the proposed restrictions.
The Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance on its first reading, moving forward with the expansion of the retail hours restriction pilot program.
The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance, solidifying the expansion of the retail hours restriction pilot program.
The Mayor approved the ordinance, allowing the expanded retail hours restrictions to take effect.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
