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Small Business Commission backs changes to shared‑spaces (parklet) rules, endorses BOS file 251,004
Summary
After testimony from SFMTA and supporters and criticisms from neighborhood residents, the commission voted to support an ordinance (BOS file 251,004) that clarifies SFMTA/DPW administration of the shared spaces program, removes some public‑notice requirements and eliminates the mandatory public bench for commercial parklets.
The San Francisco Small Business Commission on Oct. 27 voted to support Board of Supervisors file 251,004, an ordinance that would update the city code governing the shared spaces (parklet) program.
Melanie Matheson, legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, outlined four changes: clarify department roles so SFMTA and Public Works lead administration and permitting (rather than Planning), eliminate documented community outreach and neighborhood notice requirements for new commercial parklet applications, remove the requirement that commercial parklets provide a public bench, and require parklets to remain open during a business's permitted hours to prevent use as storage.
"The legislation gives more flexibility to responsible parklet owners while giving the city more enforcement ability against those who are not using the shared space for its intended purpose," Matheson said.
Monica from SFMTA described current program staffing and compliance: "We have about 3 FTE that work on the program, including myself," she said, adding that SFMTA partners with Public Works for permitting and enforcement and that efforts have focused on bringing pandemic-era parklets into compliance. Monica said there are "around 500 structures citywide," with roughly 350 permitted or actively working toward permitting.
Public comment showed divergent views. Ralph Hibbs, a Castro resident, said parking losses and safety concerns justify stronger action: "Parklets are the public appropriation of public land for private benefit, which is wrong," he said, and argued many parklets are locked and not open to the public. Supporters including Simon Bertrand of SF New Deal and a representative from Lehi said SFMTA effectively runs the program today and welcomed the streamlining. "All 4 of them — Monica and her team at SFMTA actually manage the program right now," Bertrand said.
Vice President Cezunas and other commissioners pressed on implementation and triage — how the public and businesses will be redirected to other public spaces — and noted potential delivery and parking impacts in commercial corridors. Staff described ongoing conversations with merchants and trade groups; Matheson said the measure aims to address the use‑as‑storage problem and ease permitting hurdles.
President Huey moved that the commission support BOS file 251,004; Commissioner Cornett seconded. Roll call recorded 'Yes' votes from Commissioners Benitez, Cornett, Herbert, President Huey and Vice President Cezunas. The motion passed.
The ordinance, if adopted by the Board of Supervisors and implemented by city departments, would codify the current administrative roles and remove notice and bench requirements for commercial parklets. Commissioners and staff noted enforcement and coordination between SFMTA and Public Works would be critical to realizing the ordinance's goals.
