Board upholds revocation of Nile Cafe parklet permit over repeated noncompliance

The San Francisco Board of Appeals unanimously upheld the Department of Public Works’ revocation of the parklet permit for Nile Cafe at 544 Jones Street, citing a record of unresponsiveness and continuing violations. The board found that the host repeatedly failed to maintain the parklet, did not complete timely permit renewals and continued to allow smoking in the parklet after being told not to.

The appeal was filed after Public Works documented multiple complaints dating to 2013 about unsanitary conditions, late‑hour noise and the direct serving or privatization of the public space. Rahul Shah of Public Works told the board the department verified the problems on site and that the parklet host had been given opportunities to correct them, including a hearing that imposed a 60‑day period for remediation. Shah said “there’s no smoking whatsoever allowed in any of the parklets,” and that hookah smoking had been specifically raised in earlier hearings.

Appellant Kanani Ahmed said the parklet provides public benefit in the Tenderloin and described efforts to keep it clean despite neighborhood challenges. Neighbors and community advocates described persistent noise, late‑night activity and smoke drifting into nearby residences.

Commissioner Rick Swigg moved to deny the appeal and uphold the revocation on grounds of chronic abuse of the parklet rules. The motion passed on a 5–0 vote. The revocation takes effect as recorded by the Board.