Common names for these districts

In San Francisco, these districts are primarily known as Community Benefit Districts (CBDs). 

As of 2025, there are currently 16 active CBDs. 

CBDs are all run by neighborhood-based groups and funded by property assessments. 
Across the United States, CBDs are also known by various names such as: 

• Community Improvement Districts (CIDs)
• Property Business Improvement Districts (PBIDs)
• Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
• Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)

Forming and managing a CBD in San Francisco

Forming a CBD 

Forming a CBD requires strong support from property owners and businesses. 

It can be a multi-year process and is organized into 3 phases:

1. Feasibility and planning
2. Formation and Outreach
3. Legislative authorization

When a CBD is established, a nonprofit organization may be created to manage it. Most districts have an Executive Director, but the number of staff members depends on the districts budget and needs.

Once a district is formed

Districts are responsible for providing services to those within its boundaries. This includes the people who pay assessments.

A Board of Directors, composed of property and business owners and community stakeholders, helps:

• Ensure accountability 
• Guides the CBD based on its governing documents (called a management plan)

OEWD provides oversight and technical assistance.

Community Benefit District programs and services

CBDs fund programs and services that community stakeholders identify as priority areas.  

Each district's management plan outlines their neighborhood's priorities.

Services usually focus on keeping public spaces clean and well-maintained. Over $25 million or 70% of reported CBD/BID Assessment Revenue went towards Safe & Clean efforts in FY 2023-2024 . Over 3 million pounds of trash were collected during this same reporting period.

Services often also include public safety, economic development, and neighborhood marketing.  

Funding for these services

Property owners fund CBDs through an added assessment.

All property owners within a CBD are subject to these assessments. 

A CBD can also raise funds and apply for grants.
Budgets depend on how big the district is and the types of services it provides.

Sector specific districts

In addition to neighborhood-focused districts, San  Francisco has 2 sector-specific districts, the Tourism Improvement District (TID) and Moscone Expansion District (MED).

Assessments on hotel room revenue fund these districts. SF Travel receives part of these funds to support their work promoting San Francisco.

Moscone Convention Center also receives funds to support its expansion and maintain its convention facilities

Key facts about CBDs

CBDs in San Francisco cover 20% of all commercially zoned land in the city 

Since 2015, 7 CBDs have expanded or renewed, and 6 new districts have been formed

CBDs maintain 37 public plazas, parks, and gathering spaces across the city

More than 35 beautification projects were completed by CBDs in FY 2023-2024

In FY 23-24, CBDs supported 850 community events

Economic development

The City and CBD leaders created an action plan to bring new life to Union Square and Yerba Buena, top areas for shopping and hospitality in the City.

Partnerships like this are a prime example of economic development in action. They strengthen the local economy and enhance community well-being.

In this case, this is achieved by:

• Supporting existing arts, culture, and businesses
• Launching new initiatives to attract visitors and create vibrant public spaces

Championing communities

CBDs often help bring people together to work on neighborhood projects.

For example, the Tenderloin CBD  partnered with SFMTA to help organize the community during the Tenderloin Traffic Safety Improvements Project.

This partnership engaged the community to identify traffic issues and develop solutions, making the streets safer for everyone. 

Neighborhood marketing

Marketing plays a crucial role in fostering community identity.

For example, the Japantown CBD’s vibrant street banners do more than help with navigation. They create a sense of place that attracts visitors and reinforces neighborhood pride.

They also help to implement City and community marketing goals identified for Japantown in the Japantown Cultural District’s Cultural, History, Housing & Economic Sustainability Strategy (JCHESS) (PDF).