The San Francisco City Council meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on a proposed ordinance aimed at extending deadlines for the Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program. This initiative seeks to enhance disability access for businesses across the city.

During the meeting, Carl, the legislative affairs manager, presented the ordinance, which would extend compliance deadlines for the ABE program by an additional two years. This extension is crucial as it follows previous amendments made during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had already adjusted deadlines for property owners and tenants to make their business entrances accessible.

The ABE program, established in 2016, mandates that property owners ensure their business entrances are physically accessible, complementing existing state and federal accessibility laws under the Americans with Disabilities Act. As of the latest report, approximately 66% of the 23,000 properties under the program are partially compliant, while about 34% remain non-compliant. The compliance data indicates that many businesses have yet to file necessary applications for building permits to make the required modifications.

Zahra Haji, legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, emphasized the importance of the ordinance and noted that the Code Advisory Committee had unanimously recommended its approval. The council's potential action today could lead to a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration.

The meeting underscored the city's ongoing commitment to improving accessibility for all residents and visitors, ensuring that businesses can meet compliance standards effectively. The next steps will involve the Board of Supervisors reviewing the ordinance for final approval.