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Commission backs modified small-business fee waiver for May façade work
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval, with staff modifications, of an ordinance to waive select permit fees in May for small businesses to encourage façade improvements; staff and the sponsor emphasized outreach and a narrowed scope to awnings and signs on awnings.
The Planning Commission advised the Board of Supervisors to approve a measure to waive certain planning and building fees for small businesses during Small Business Month in May, while adopting a staff recommendation to limit the waiver to awnings and signs on awnings.
Diana Kizon of Supervisor Tang’s office said the intent is educational outreach that lowers cost barriers and explains permit requirements. “We introduced this last year and it was unanimously passed... This year, we hope to do the same kind of educational outreach,” she said.
Staff impact: Planning staff noted last year only 11 fees were actually waived by the Building Department despite over 90 planning sign approvals in May and estimated the ordinance cost the department roughly $4,200. Staff recommended narrowing the waiver so the department can maintain design review and compatibility checks while reducing direct fee costs.
Action: The commission voted to recommend approval to the Board with the modification to limit the fee waiver to awning permits and signs on awnings, and asked that outreach materials be translated and widely distributed to target corridors and small-business operators.
