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Small business newsletter for August 2024

Updates, trainings, announcements, and more, from the Office of Small Business
August 01, 2024

Year in Review 

The mission of our office is to equitably support, preserve, and protect small businesses in San Francisco. We provide high quality direct services and programs, drive practical policy solutions, and serve as a champion for San Francisco’s diverse small business community. Each year, we look back and report on our impact. Here are some highlights: 

5,799 business counseling cases 

Since expanding our services to include commercial leasing and permitting support in FY2022-23, the number of cases managed by the Office of Small Business has continued to increase. Between FY2022-23 and FY2023-24, our office experienced 19.4% increase in the number of cases handled. 

New leasing resource 

In June 2024 we launched a new online resource for business owners to conduct their own initial search of available commercial spaces in San Francisco. Our Commercial Leasing Specialist supported 207 business owners in searching for spaces and advising on leasing review, resulting in 37 signed leases.  

Policy changes 

First Year Free program extension 

Our office worked with Mayor Breed, Supervisor Ronen, and the Treasurer & Tax Collector’s Office to pass legislation that extended the First Year Free Program for a third year, through June 30, 2025. The First Year Free Program supports small businesses by waiving most fees when starting or expanding a business. It has waived over $3.7 million in fees. 

Annual food vendor permit 

In collaboration with our office and the Department of Public Health, Mayor Breed sponsored legislation to simplify the health permitting for special event food vendors through the creation of an annual permit. This legislation simplifies the application process and consolidates fees; it will go into effect in September. 

Permitting improvements 

Our office worked on legislation sponsored by Mayor Breed to adopt a package of over 100 changes to the Planning Code to streamline commercial permitting and allow for greater business flexibility. The legislation took effect January 2024. Subsequent legislation that took 

effect April 2024 allows Nighttime Entertainment Uses as principally permitted on the ground floor in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District. 

Awning Amnesty Program 

The Mayor’s Office, the Department of Building Inspection, the Planning Department, the San Francisco Fire Department, and the Office of Small Business collaborated to develop a pathway to legalize existing awnings and signs without requiring professional, costly drawings of their existing awnings. In June 2024, the Mayor’s Office introduced legislation that makes the program and simplified permit application permanent. 

Supporting existing businesses 

Improving accessibility 

Our office awarded $739,881 in grants to business owners for costs associated with making their business more accessible. 

Helping after a disaster 

16 business received a grant from our office after experiencing a major fire disaster, totaling $129,000. 

Shop Dine SF 

The City’s ongoing campaign to encourage shopping local featured a pop-up shop, a large Muni bus ad campaign, video campaigns, and “Perfect San Francisco Day” tours. 

Upcoming   

Business Personal Property tax is due 

The Office of Treasurer & Tax Collector has mailed tax bills for unsecured property to taxpayers in July 2024.  Penalties will be assessed after September 3rd, 2024.  

Get more information about Business Personal Property Tax 

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 

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.   

Announcements   

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.  

Learn more  

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 

Legacy Business Spotlight 

Heritage Happy Hour at St. Mary’s Pub 

August 8, 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. St. Mary’s, established in 1933, is the oldest Repeal Bar in San Francisco that has maintained its original name.  

Nihonmachi Street Fair 

August 3-4, Japantown 

The Nihonmachi Street Fair is marking 50 years of illuminating the rich traditions and dazzling diversity of the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The Street Fair joined the Legacy Business Registry this April and is the first festival to receive this status. 

Webinars & Events      

AUG 8 

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. 

SIGN UP 

AUG 12 

Food Costing for Profit 

This seminar is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to effectively manage your food costs and set your menu prices for profitability. Hosted by the Norcal Small Business Development Center. 

LEARN MORE 

AUG 12-SEP 9 

Zero to Food Trucker 

This is a 4-week course by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, to learn how to plan and launch a food truck business. It includes business planning and understanding legal and regulatory requirements. 

REGISTER

AUG 15 

How to Use AI to Speed Up Your Marketing 

This webinar will introduce practical artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can help your business’s marketing workflow. Hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. 

REGISTER 

AUG 27 

Plan for Business Success 

See a demo of Gale Business: Plan Builder, a free comprehensive tool that provides step-by-step guidance on planning, starting, and running a small business or nonprofit. Hosted by the SF Public Library. 

REGISTER 

SEP 4 

Small Business Financial Literacy 

Join the SF Small Business Development Center for an in-person event about free and low-cost resources when starting and growing a business. There will be networking and a panel discussion. 

SIGN UP 

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.  

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