Cultural Districts Program

• 2026: March, June, August
• 2025: January, March, May (part 1), May (part 2), September, December
• 2024: January, March
• 2023: March, June, September
• 2022: January, February, April, April (Part 2), July, October

The Cultural Districts program was established by the Board of Supervisors in May 2018 to protect and strengthen areas of the City that embody a unique cultural heritage. By building a bridge between City and community, the program aims to advance stabilization policies that are responsive to each neighborhood’s needs.

A Cultural District is formed by legislative ordinance following an extensive community process in collaboration with the Board of Supervisors. The process includes establishing an appropriate geographic boundary and identifying the tangible and intangible culturally and historically significant assets to be preserved.

Staff from the Arts Commission, SF Planning, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development comprise a steering committee that provides technical assistance and subject matter expertise on priority issues that impact the Cultural Districts. Other City departments are brought in as needed. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development manages the program and administers Prop E funds.

San Francisco's Cultural Districts and Historic Districts both promote areas of cultural significance but ultimately serve different purposes: Cultural Districts advance community-strengthening policies to protect marginalized communities and living traditions, whereas Historic Districts focus on preserving physical spaces, specifically architectural and physical building styles that share a common history, cultural identity, or pattern of development.

• Love Our Neighborhoods: The Love Our Neighborhoods program creates an easier way to build, create and install projects that activate and enliven the public right of way. Projects can include little libraries, sidewalk benches, tiled staircases, and more.
• Shared Spaces Program: The Shared Spaces Program is a permitting platform that enables San Francisco residents, community groups, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and art, entertainment, and cultural institutions to transform public spaces for community-driven activities and commerce.
• Building Blocks: Building Blocks is an innovative new model that helps under-resourced small businesses install, manage, and maintain high-quality, long-lasting parklets without the usual barriers.
• Legacy Business Program: The Legacy Business registry recognizes businesses that have been in operation for 30 or more years and contribute to the neighborhood's history and/or the identity of a particular neighborhood or community. Inclusion on the registry provides Legacy Businesses with recognition and educational and promotional assistance to encourage their continued viability and success in San Francisco.
• Shop Dine SF: Shop Dine SF is a marketing campaign to support businesses in San Francisco. Visit shops, eat at restaurants, and get services and experiences from the small businesses that make San Francisco special. The site’s "Perfect day in ..." highlights neighborhoods’ hidden gems.
• Landmark Designation Program: Landmarks and Historic Districts are irreplaceable assets that reflect the historical character of the City and its neighborhoods to showcase the best of the past and recent generations. The goal of Landmark designation is to protect, preserve, and enhance these significant cultural resources, encourage their continued use, and manage change for future generations.