This month’s newsletter features new opportunities, information about laws and regulations that impact small businesses, and events to help strengthen or grow your business.
Beyond these monthly notices, our office has staff dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start or grow a business, navigate permitting, find and secure a lease, and more.
Here are some quick links to explore how these services may help start, sustain, or grow your business:
Announcements
New commercial leasing search tool
Business owners can now search online for available commercial spaces, using a tool called LoopLink. This service is free for the public, offered by the Office of Small Business. Business owners can search for locations by type, size, location, and more.
Learn more and search at sf.gov/commercialspaces
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) increases rebate for commercial water-saving equipment
The SFPUC is increasing its commercial equipment rebate from $1 to $7 for every 748 gallons of water saved, effective July 1, 2024. This is to encourage more businesses to reduce their water use. Eligible projects must achieve a water savings of 75,000 gallons or more a year to qualify.
Eligible customers may apply for a rebate for more than one project to replace or upgrade commercial-grade equipment in restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, hotels, medical and research facilities, office high-rises, and manufacturing companies.
SB 478 and 1524 updates: New state laws about pricing transparency
SB 1524 has been signed into law, clarifying and defining the language in SB 478, including what restaurants, bars, or other food service providers need to do in order to comply. The revised language states that for restaurants, bars, or other food service providers, or for a contract for banquet or catering service providers, any service charge, mandatory gratuity, or other mandatory fee or charges needs to be clearly and conspicuously displayed, with an explanation of its purpose, on any advertisement, menu, or other display that contains the price of the food or beverage item.
Read the full text of the bill as amended
SF Main Public Library seeking a cafe operator
Proposals are due July 17
The San Francisco Public Library is now accepting proposals for an experienced café operator to serve the visitors and patrons of the Main Branch.
Read the details in the Request for Proposals (RFP)
Submit business info for SF Weekender online directory
The SF Weekender online directory and campaign is a new free platform to connect small businesses with attendees of the popular Bhangra and Beats Night Market.
Fill out the SF Weekender Form
Complete a survey about community needs
The SF Department on the Status of Women is conducting an anonymous community needs assessment and would like to hear from SF small business owners. The survey asks about your experiences living, working, or going to school in SF.
Get help with hiring
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development’s Employer Services team is your workforce concierge and can assist your business with promoting jobs, finding local candidates, accessing hiring events, and introductions to workforce community partners.
Contact Employer Services at employer.services@sfgov.org and register your business on the City’s job matching resource tool, WorkforceLinkSF.org.
These services are available for bilingual and monolingual employers and employees.
Office of Small Business in the Community
Let us know if you would like the Office of Small Business to visit your corridor and share resources for small businesses. Please send requests to: sfosb@sfgov.org.
Upcoming
New law requiring bars serving spirits to offer drug testing devices
Took effect July 1, 2024
The new state law requires businesses with Type 48 licenses to offer drug testing devices for sale or at no cost to patrons. Businesses will need to have signage and are responsible for procuring testing kits.
SF minimum wage and other annual labor rate updates
Took effect July 1, 2024
Minimum wage in San Francisco increased to $18.67. Read more and download the new employer posters.
Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO) Fee Rate increased to $6.75 per hour with a weekly maximum cap of $270. Read more and download materials.
New CA employer requirement: Violence Prevention Plan
Took effect July 1, 2024
To comply with this law, all employers in California must provide employees with an annual training and a plan to prevent workplace violence. Employers are also required to develop and maintain records of workplace violence hazard assessments, violent incident logs, and workplace violence incident investigations.
Learn more and download a template for the plan
Apply for the California Competes Tax Credit
Deadline to apply is Aug 12
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses for creating full-time jobs by opening or growing a business in CA. Any size or type of biz is eligible.
Visit the state’s website for upcoming webinars to learn more
GT Ventures grant for young, Black entrepreneurs
Deadline to apply: Sep 2
This grant is for Black youth and young adults ages 7-24 who are looking to start a non-profit or business. In addition to the grant funds, the recipient will receive an 18-month mentorship and access to our incubator of industry leaders.
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at The Dubliner
July 11, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Heritage Happy Hours offers a casual “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. The Dubliner is Noe Valley’s neighborhood sports bar.
Webinars & Events
July 11
Virtual Office Hours for entrepreneurs
Get feedback on your small business ideas from a business advisor. Learn to structure an initial business idea, and start market research. Hosted by the SF Public Library and SF Small Business Development Center.
July 17
Fix Your Digital Marketing
In one workshop, learn how to audit your digital presence with hands-on help from an expert with years of experience in digital marketing. Hosted by the SF Public Library
July 17-Aug 21
Building Your Marketing Strategy
This 6-week online training series is broken down into a different marketing building block that you work on with Christina Hunt, the instructor and Digital Marketing expert, and the overall group. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
July 18
Virtual Legal Clinic
Get free business law advice at the monthly virtual legal clinic from Legal Services for Entrepreneurs. Be sure to register in advance. Please select the 1-hour appointment time you prefer.
July 29
Selling Your Products Wholesale
This workshop will cover the basics of expanding a business to sell wholesale, including the types of wholesale options and the process it takes to sell wholesale. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
Aug 5
Restaurant Management
This seminar is for restaurant owners to learn how to manage your business operations. Hosted by the Northern California Small Business Development Center.
Shop Dine SF
A 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.
Visit sf.gov/shopdineSF or follow the campaign on social media to find events and initiatives across San Francisco! Share events supporting businesses and commercial corridors by emailing shopdinesf@sfgov.org.