Apply to join the Legacy Business Registry

Your business must have:

• Operated in San Francisco for 30 years or more
• Had no break in SF operations for more than 2 years
• Contributed to San Francisco’s history or identity

Your business must also be committed to keeping its history alive. For example, maintaining your core business model.

Your business needs to have a nomination from a member of the Board of Supervisors or the mayor to be a Legacy Business. 

You can submit the letter later, but you should check with a supervisor or the mayor before you apply, since it is a required part of a complete application.

Download the application PDF.

We will ask you for:

• Your business information
• Location(s) and ownership history
• A written narrative about your business’s history and how it has contributed to the identity of San Francisco

Email the completed form to legacybusiness@sfgov.org.

You may also mail or drop it off in person:
Legacy Business Program
City Hall, Room 140
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

After you apply, we will confirm that we received it. We will then review your application and suggest edits. You will be working closely with the program manager for the rest of the process.

We will review applications in the order that we get them.

You can check the status of your application by name.

If you are eligible, you will need to provide more detailed documents.

You can give your supervisor or the mayor instructions about how to provide a nomination letter.

We will compile your entire application for the hearings.

Before it goes to the hearing, you must pay a nonrefundable $50 application fee by check.

Make check payable to:

“City and County of San Francisco - Office of Small Business”
or
“CCSF-OSB”  

Mail or drop it off to: 

Legacy Business Program
City Hall, Room 140
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

We will submit your entire application to the Historic Preservation Commission. At the hearing, they will make a recommendation to the Small Business Commission. 

At a separate hearing, the Small Business Commission will decide if your business qualifies for the Registry.

At both hearings, you can attend and speak for 2 to 3 minutes (public comment).