Program overview
The Controller's Office works with the Department of Public Works to monitor the condition of San Francisco's streets and sidewalks. After developing standards for street and sidewalk maintenance, we manage regular inspections of street routes.
We report on the results of these evaluations in reports and memos.
Documents
Reports
Annual report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2015-2016.
Annual report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2014-2015.
Annual report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2013-2014.
Annual report memo on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2010-2011.
This report measures the public's perceptions of San Francisco street and sidewalk cleanliness and how well they match the City’s maintenance standards and programs.
Annual report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2009-2010.
6-Month report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2009-2010.
Annual report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2008-2009.
Annual report on street and sidewalk maintenance in fiscal year 2007-2008.
Program background
In 2003, San Francisco voted to amend the charter to name the Controller's Office as the City Services Auditor. As the City Services Auditor, the charter requires that we set standards for street, sidewalk, and park maintenance. Read the charter section about this program.
Street and sidewalk maintenance standards
The San Francisco Controller’s Office and Public Works conduct thousands of surveys across the city each year to assess the condition of streets and sidewalks. Each survey evaluates both sides of a street between two intersections. There are some exceptions for very short street segments or where there is no sidewalk on one side of the street.
We spread surveys across the year and all weekdays. This helps account for factors that could influence the results, like weather patterns, trash collection schedules, or street sweeping schedules.
Evaluators inspect:
- street litter
- sidewalk litter
- illegal dumping
- graffiti
- broken glass
- feces
- syringes
- used condoms
- dead animals
- overflowing trash receptacles
- insufficient sidewalk clearance and sidewalk pavement defects
- unpleasant or offensive odors
- transit shelters
We do not evaluate the physical state of City streets, such as potholes, cracks or construction.
The Department of Public Works manages the scheduling of street cleaning. Learn more about the street cleaning schedules.
Questions?
Contact the Controller's Office.