Supervisors introduce emergency ordinance, urge governor to extend small‑business eviction protections

San Francisco supervisors moved on Sept. 22 to keep small businesses from facing evictions at the end of the statewide moratorium. Supervisor Peskin introduced a 60‑day emergency ordinance to prohibit evictions of small commercial tenants for unpaid rent; the motion also asked the board to urge the governor to extend state eviction protections and to allow the city to pursue local relief measures.

Background and urgency The state’s COVID‑19 commercial eviction protections were scheduled to lapse on Sept. 30. Board members and tenant advocates told the supervisors that if protections were not extended — either by the governor or by local action — many small businesses would be faced with substantial back rent plus ongoing rent obligations on Oct. 1, and landlords could initiate eviction actions without immediate relief or structured repayment plans.

Local testimony and focus Several callers and community representatives — notably tenants and small‑business advocates from Japantown and the Japan Center Mall — urged the board to extend protections and to pursue rent relief. Board members said they would seek both an emergency local ordinance and a formal request that the governor extend the state moratorium.

Board action - The board adopted a resolution urging the governor to extend protections for small businesses and their employees (item 111) by unanimous roll call (11–0). - Supervisor Peskin and Supervisor Preston introduced a 60‑day emergency ordinance to prohibit evictions of small businesses; they requested a Committee of the Whole hearing next Tuesday to consider the ordinance so it could be enacted if the state deadline passed. The sponsor asked for a Committee of the Whole hearing on short order and received the president’s agreement to hear it next week.

Why it matters Small commercial tenants — including legacy businesses in cultural districts such as Japantown — told the board that deferred rent obligations would be unsustainable without a repayment mechanism or direct relief. Tenants’ advocates said negotiated solutions with individual landlords had so far failed to protect a substantial number of tenants in the Japan Center Mall.

Speakers and testimony - Supervisor Peskin — introduced emergency ordinance and described the need for an immediate local response if the state moratorium is not extended. - Diane Matuda (call-in) — staff attorney representing commercial tenants in the Japan Center Mall; urged board action to prevent mass evictions of culturally significant small businesses.

Clarifying details - Expiration date referenced: Sept. 30 (statewide commercial eviction protection) - Local legal options: Board members discussed a 60‑day emergency ordinance and use of the Committee of the Whole to expedite review and potential adoption.

Next steps - Committee of the Whole hearing requested for next Tuesday to consider the emergency ordinance (sponsor request recorded Sept. 22).