San Francisco, CA – Today, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve legislation introduced by Mayor London N. Breed and co-sponsored by Supervisors Rafael Mandelman and Myrna Melgar to encourage and expand outdoor community events by waiving City fees, making them less costly to produce.
Currently, costs for obtaining permits for organized events or fairs range anywhere between $500- $10,000, depending on their size and scope. The applicant must be a San Francisco based non-profit, small business, Community Benefit District, Business Improvement District, or a neighborhood or merchant association. Fees eligible for waiver include any application, permit, and inspection/staffing fees from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Department of Public Health, Fire Department, Entertainment Commission, and Police Department.
“Outdoor events in San Francisco attract thousands of people who come to enjoy our iconic sites, amazing food, and cultural offerings, and we need to remove the barriers that prevent small businesses to benefit from them and be part of their success,” said Mayor London Breed. “This legislation is a big step forward in our efforts to continue to revitalize Downtown and our neighborhoods.”
This legislation supports the Mayor’s broader strategy to bring vibrancy and entertainment to San Francisco’s neighborhoods as laid out in her Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future. Outdoor community events such as night markets, neighborhood block parties, and farmers markets are integral to San Francisco’s vibrant culture and community, and offers residents, workers, and visitors the opportunity to engage with local artists, musicians, and food vendors while enjoying the City’s stunning outdoor spaces and commercial corridors.
"In San Francisco, we know how to embrace joy,” said Supervisor Myrna Melgar. “I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure that red tape doesn't get in the way of a good time and to ensure that our vibrant communities across San Francisco can fill our streets with celebration."
"District 8 loved its block parties and street fairs long before COVID," said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. "The pandemic challenged us to re-think our use of outdoor space, and in this post-pandemic era we are building on that experience to up San Francisco’s outdoor game. This is great legislation, it will contribute to the City’s recovery, and I’m glad for the opportunity to work on it with the Mayor and her team."
In order to qualify for the new fee waivers, the events need to be free and open to the public, occupy three or fewer City blocks, take place between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., and have the appropriate permitting from the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT) and the Entertainment Commission. Organizations and businesses are limited to a maximum of 12 events in one calendar year.
For over a year Mayor Breed has doubled down on efforts to ensure San Francisco remains a vibrant and economically resilient city while supporting small businesses. In December, the Mayor signed two pieces of legislation that makes over 100 changes to the Planning Code to ease the permitting process for small businesses and eliminate fees so that businesses may continue to offer outdoor music and entertainment activities.
Earlier this month, as part of Mayor Breed’s proposed new two-year budget, she laid out initiatives to invest in the revitalization of the Union Square and Yerba Buena hospitality districts and expand the Vacant to Vibrant program to address storefront vacancies. In May, the Mayor proposed legislation to establish Entertainment Zones that will allow restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages during outdoor events and activations, building on her broader strategy to jumpstart entertainment and outdoor activations Downtown and in neighborhoods across San Francisco.
“On behalf of the merchants who depend on our outdoor events to bring foot traffic to the corridors, the small businesses who rely on pop-up marketplaces, and the community who look to our markets for a safe space to connect with others, we are so very grateful to the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and all of the City Agencies who contributed to supporting these ordinances,” said Angie Petitt, Founder and CEO of Sunset Mercantile.
"Fees have been a significant part of the budget for events like the Sunset Autumn Moon Festival and the Sunset Night Market. This legislation will allow community-based organizations like ours to focus funds on event production, staffing, and participation of our local small businesses,” said Lily Wong, Director of Community Engagement at Wah Mei.
“I am delighted to see the passage of this important legislation making it easier for someone like me and fellow community leaders to organize night markets and street fairs.” Lily Lo, Executive Director, Be Chinatown. “More night markets and street fairs mean more people are enjoying what our unique neighborhoods have to offer including food, entertainment, and arts and culture. And more people coming to play on our streets means activation, vibrancy and energy that we need so that restaurants, bars and shops can thrive.”
"Street fairs and block parties play a crucial role in creating vibrant communities and supporting our local small businesses and entrepreneurs,” says Lauro González-Arias of ArtyHood. “This legislation reflects the commitment to fostering a thriving environment where local artists, creatives, and musicians can showcase their work and talent while engaging with the community."
The legislation is expected to be implemented by late fall or winter. The authority to waive MTA fees is solely within the jurisdiction of the MTA Board who will have to vote on waiving the fees in this ordinance. MTA will then work to administer the program over the coming months.
This legislation is part of companion legislation introduced by Mayor Breed in April to streamline and improve outdoor events permitting, including allowing food vendors to participate in multiple events at multiple locations throughout the year with a single permit. The proposal will go in front of the Board in July.
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