Committee advances citywide two‑hour large‑vehicle parking limit and services‑led refuge permit program amid heavy public opposition

The Budget and Finance Committee on July 9 voted to forward to the full Board an ordinance amending the transportation code to impose a citywide two‑hour parking limit on large vehicles and establishing a services‑led large vehicle refuge permit program and related administrative changes. The ordinance was amended at the hearing to add clearer appeal and review processes and to formalize HSH’s role in guidance, case management and good‑neighbor policies.

Kunal Modi, the mayor’s chief of health and human services, described the proposal as a balanced, citywide approach that pairs outreach, housing offers, a vehicle buyback program and a refuge permit for households actively engaged with HSH while enforcement steps proceed. Mari Hunter of SFMTA explained the refuge permit will exempt eligible households from the new two‑hour restriction while they engage in services; permits will be time‑limited but extendable and revocable for cause, with a specified appeals process.

HSH described a four‑pronged outreach and services strategy including peer‑based outreach and case management, a vehicle buyback payment option paired with financial empowerment, offers of interim non‑congregate shelter or housing subsidies, and the permit program for households actively engaging with the system. Budget and Legislative Analyst and city staff described an initial FY25 budget that includes about $11 million of HSH spending this year (65 rapid rehousing slots, approximately $3 million for short‑term assistance) and SFMTA estimates roughly $1.7 million in enforcement costs depending on tow volume.

The ordinance generated extensive public comment—dozens of callers and in‑room speakers—most urging the Board to reject the ban and demanding more housing and safe‑parking alternatives. Commenters repeatedly said the City lacks sufficient shelter and permanent housing, and warned the policy would push people into street homelessness; advocates asked for safe parking sites, expanded subsidies, and broader protections for seniors, immigrants and people with disabilities. Supervisors and city staff acknowledged those concerns and inserted amendments to add procedural protections, clarification of permit eligibility and appeals, and to direct HSH to develop documentation guidance, case management roles, and a good‑neighbor policy.

After amendment, the committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation (Dorsey, Engardio, Chan — 3 ayes). The committee also ordered a duplicate file to allow continued work on clarifications and authorized a call‑of‑the‑chair continuation for the duplicate file.