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Supervisors amend and pass citywide ban on sale and manufacture of animal fur with a phased inventory rule
Summary
The Board adopted an ordinance amending the Health Code to ban the sale and manufacture of animal fur products, with an amendment allowing retailers to sell existing inventory through Jan. 1, 2020 if they can show proof of order dated on or before March 20, 2018.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance on March 20, 2018 amending the Health Code to ban the sale and manufacture of animal fur products in the city, adopting an amendment intended to ease the transition for local retailers.
Supervisor Tang, the item sponsor, described a single amendment that keeps the ordinance’s effective date as Jan. 1, 2019, but “in order to allow for businesses to be able to get rid of their inventory, we are allowing them to be able to sell it all the way through 01/01/2020, if retailers can, on the spot when an inspector comes, provide an invoice or produce an invoice that shows that they ordered placed the order for the fur product, before or on 03/20/2018.” He said that retailers who cannot produce such invoices would remain subject to fines.
Why it matters: The ordinance restricts the sale and manufacture of animal fur in San Francisco and creates a limited, invoice‑based phase‑out for existing inventory, a concession supervisors tied to concerns from local retailers.
Details and debate: Supervisor Tang said the amendment responds to “concerns relayed to me from some of the business community.” The clerk recorded the motion to amend, seconded by Supervisor Stephanie, and the board adopted the amendment and then passed the ordinance as amended by unanimous voice vote among members present.
Implementation: The amendment requires retailers to produce invoices to inspectors showing orders placed on or before March 20, 2018 to continue selling fur items through Jan. 1, 2020. The ordinance will return as required for further readings or implementation steps; enforcement and fine schedules will be handled according to the Health Code and Department of Public Health procedures.
Process notes: The measure passed unanimously on first reading; no roll‑call opposition was recorded. The clerk’s announcement and sponsor statements provide the operative language and the inventory‑invoice condition the board adopted.
