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Commission backs Wiener plan to simplify parking‑tax compliance for small residential owners
Summary
The Planning Commission supported a package to make it easier for residential property owners who rent up to five parking spaces to comply with the city parking tax: reduced fees, waived bonding and fingerprinting, quarterly filing and a limited amnesty. Commissioners voted 6–1 to approve related planning‑code amendments.
The Planning Commission voted to advance a multi‑code package designed to simplify parking‑tax compliance for residential property owners who lease up to five parking spaces. Supervisor Scott Wiener told the commission the changes aim to bring small property owners into compliance after the Treasurer’s office has started pursuing back taxes and penalties against owners who did not realize the tax applied to accessory residential parking.
Under the plan, property owners renting up to five spots connected to residential properties would still owe parking tax but would be exempted from bonding, expensive equipment, fingerprinting and a roughly $1,000 annual fee; they would file quarterly using a simplified form produced by the Treasurer/Tax Collector and receive a six‑month amnesty to pay two years of back taxes without penalties or interest. The planning‑code amendment would allow small accessory parking (five spaces or fewer) to be rented to any San Francisco resident rather than only within 1,250 feet.
Commissioners questioned enforceability and potential effects on commuter parking and tenant affordability. Planning staff said the amendment affects only small buildings (five spaces or fewer) and is unlikely to shift commuting patterns but would improve compliance. The motion passed 6–1, with Commissioner Moore dissenting.
