Shared Spaces

Shared Spaces is a program that reimagines how sidewalks, streets, and outdoor areas can be used, offering a more dynamic and flexible approach to public space.

Learn more

Resources

Apply

Evaluate

Design and Build

Contact city-trained designers and contractors
Read the Shared Spaces manual
Request an inspection to receive your permit after application has been approved and parklet built

What to do

Apply for a permit

Get a Shared Spaces permit for your sidewalk or parking lane. Learn about the options and responsibilities of Shared Spaces permits. Request an inspection after your parklet is built.

End your Shared Space

If you don't want to continue using your current Shared Space, you can follow the steps to let us know.

Use other kinds of space

Close the street to traffic for a recurring event

Report a problem

Let us know if you see business not following rules using their Shared Spaces.

Stay up to date

See upcoming and past webinars and events focused on design guidelines, equity grants, and overall information about the program.

Email us at sharedspaces@sfgov.org

Find us on social media!

See our updated manual with photos, graphics, and general guidelines.

Watch our short design guidelines videos.

Program resources

Track applications

Shared Spaces tracker

An interactive map of all applications and approvals for Shared Spaces locations.

List of roadway closures

A full list of roadway closures for Shared Spaces, Slow Streets, and other related programs.

Media resources

Photo gallery, news releases, press coverage, and presentations on Shared Spaces.

Stay up to date

Get email bulletins from the Shared Spaces Program

Shared Spaces Webinars and Events

Upcoming and past webinars and events focused on design guidelines, equity grants, and overall information abo

New Shared Spaces legislation

The Board of Supervisors passed the Shared Spaces legislation on July 20, 2021.

Application and site plan workshop recording

In this video

Watch a video of a recent in-person workshop to learn about the legislated permit application process and program resources. See training slide deck.

Safety and accessibility is important

In this video

Watch a 2-min video to learn why it is important to make your Shared Spaces safe and accessible. You will see a few examples of how to make your site visually accessible and how much space you'll need for emergency access gap.

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Transcript:

Shared spaces have transformed San Francisco's streets and sidewalks local business communities are more resilient and our neighborhood centers are more vibrant and lively sidewalks and parking lanes can be used for outdoor seating dining merchandising and other community activities.

We're counting on operators of shared spaces to ensure their sites are safe and accessible for all.

When paramedics firefighters and other first responders arrive at a scene they need clear visual access to see the building entrances exits and storefront windows from the street that means park glitch should be transparent in the areas above 42 inches above the sidewalk level.

It's best if these areas are totally unobstructed but transparent materials may be okay. You can check with fire department staff to make sure your site meets visibility requirements.

Emergency response crews and their equipment also need to move easily between street sidewalk and buildings especially when they are using medical gurneys ladders and other firefighting tools that means that parklet structures need a three foot wide emergency access gap every twenty feet as well as a setback of three feet from the ends of marked parking spaces.

Emergency access gaps need to be open to the sky without obstructions like canopies roofs or cables and should always be clear of tables, chairs, planters and other furnishings.

Emergency responders need to use ladders to reach windows and roofs of buildings and the ladders need uninstructed overhead clearance and room to be placed at a 72 degree angle against the building. Clearance is also needed around these ladders to move equipment and people safely up and down so not all parklets can have roofs and canopies depending or the width of the sidewalk in your area

Please make sure that your electrical cables are hung so that they're out of the way and have strung from the building to the shared space structure they can easily be pulled down by firefighters.

Cable connections need to be powered from an outdoor rated receptacle in the building facade because hardwired connections are much more difficult to disconnect quickly

These updates to the shared spaces program will help to ensure safety and accessibility for everyone so we can all enjoy these public spaces

More information is available at sf.gov/sharedspaces

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