Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Small Business Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board clears temporary fee waivers for sidewalk cafes, displays and parklets; duplicates file for committee review
Summary
Supervisor Peskin's temporary waiver of permit and renewal fees for sidewalk cafe tables, chair permits and parklets cleared the board's first reading on Sept. 29 after minor non-substantive amendments; the file was duplicated and sent back to committee for more work on formula retail and other clarifications.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Sept. 29 approved, in first reading, a temporary ordinance to waive a range of public-right-of-way permit and renewal fees for 2 years to help small businesses that rely on outdoor seating, sidewalk displays and parklets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced the measure and moved two technical amendments (retroactivity to April 15, 2020 and clarifying that MTA fees cannot be waived), and the board accepted the amendments unanimously.
Key details: The waiver covers permit and renewal fees for sidewalk cafe tables and chairs, merchandise displays on sidewalks and parklet-use fees for an initial two-year period. Peskin said the measure was first developed as part of a broader review of small-business fees and was accelerated to support pandemic recovery; he also said his office will duplicate the file and re-refer it to committee so staff can refine the text (for example, how the waiver interacts with formula retail and MTA charges).
Procedure and action: The board approved the technical amendments (11-0), then voted to duplicate the item and send the duplicate back to committee (11-0), and then passed the ordinance as amended in first reading (11-0). The ordinance was not finalized into law that day; duplication and committee review will advance the technical cleanup and follow-up implementation.
Why it matters: The fee waivers were designed to reduce fixed costs for small businesses that have shifted to outdoor operations. The board's action sped temporary relief while signaling more work to be done in committee, including clarifying interactions with other fees and any carve-outs (for example, formula retail) staff may propose.
Next steps: The duplicated file will go to committee for further technical edits and finalization. Once committee staff and the board approve final language the ordinance will return for final readings as required.
Speakers and sources: Supervisor Aaron Peskin (lead sponsor) described the fee-review project and thanked staff and partner departments; other supervisors (Mandelman, Preston) offered input and raised carve-out questions on formula retail. The board accepted the amendments and approved the duplication and first-reading adoption by roll-call votes recorded in the minutes.
