[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6587181,"mediaKeyId","5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d","parentId",5672012,"title","San Francisco launches simplified registration for outdoor dining furniture with no permit fees","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",7005000,"endMs",7082000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d&start=7005&end=7082","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d/thumbnail_7005000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587181/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/San-Francisco-launches-simplified-registration-for-outdoor-dining-furniture-with-no-permit-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587181-57e952a691459c3c6259f06450e6e5ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447951&Signature=dA2u9407-02Z0Q8z6lm5wj9dS-FSH~H2iSGFnjSwleUIaoH6jhZ-LFS9QzPfprAgmJ9kl9MOusfsiPKs-wHIBGKgIT~C2vk1pZz~VH293A4dqUhD~adhPRYSIU2GMNoK38XlSFV0eBJ6Qtd7nQZTkgrytQA~h3lUzfap~zobyg8fZ5823DKnZ2O4Bo-u0xmARiFL9oGCCJrXNJ4uv3k9YMF94zVXq~XgfeYMwQouj8A-fax0bXbgL3xC-cdfe9ThGEqZSUGKZC2upco9GtwKmDZK87GAnLvwiVXSMU1O59ZuiWVamDmKLH6IyMm4-ypROLXng~KFZRi6P8NgxcL66g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-08-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Office of Small Business on Aug. 25 announced a new, simplified city registration system for outdoor dining furniture (tables and chairs) and sidewalk merchandise displays.

Director Tang said the new online registration removes permit fees and annual renewals, and it eliminates the need to submit site plans or certificates of insurance for most operators. ‘‘No permit fees…no annual renewal fees, no submission of site plans or your certificate of insurance,’’ Director Tang said, describing the change as a shift toward a more streamlined, 21st-century process.

City staff credited Digital Services and Public Works for building the system. Office of Small Business staff said existing permit holders were automatically enrolled and that the change is intended to make it easier for more businesses to use sidewalk space.

What to know

- Registration replaces the prior charged-permit model for qualifying sidewalk furniture and merchandise displays.
- Existing permit-holders should have received automatic enrollment notices; businesses unsure of their status were advised to check the city portal or contact Office of Small Business.

Next steps

Office staff said they will monitor adoption and coordinate outreach with merchant groups and public-works staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player","oneSentenceSummary","The Office of Small Business announced a new online registration for outdoor dining furniture and sidewalk merchandise — no permit fees, no annual renewals, and no site plans or insurance submissions required — intended to speed access for small restaurants and retailers.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587187,"Office of Cannabis briefs Small Business Commission: market size, regulatory burdens and social-equity grants",576,4920000,5496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d&start=4920&end=5496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","/articles/6587187/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Office-of-Cannabis-briefs-Small-Business-Commission-market-size-regulatory-burdens-and-social-equity-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587187-8939227a46c5d847206f48488f5a0960/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447951&Signature=T~Fm68SBZXqsnoMd2MbHIPZ9Iq7-6SugUmp2tGFY1QYqDPhChKsAE12oPpcPNS5QJDvopjZ8te9zNk3K889snGfextjnw9JmXAq8rR-K8tjS7CTr0DsjqDpKaXRpCyMsk6JLGDgfEzyl5hwoS5NqdgEhfZwMfxL6joPfXMSq8RbmjoH0om8DzeqanUgHJK-YO-nnt365U1RjforJ~YfS8nRNaBhvXEZr~enOy7cXBcYwh2SGPBr0FqtEdB7hq0vGpFkR7xQszsvDDPotx7WRE~yErbOAbzta7XKIDD9l3HHb7bCtKyr7uPk69DXBMeAW6eLgYhpsuHEaptYxdMiksA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Office of Cannabis presented an overview of its permitting, compliance and social-equity work at the Aug. 25 Small Business Commission meeting and described current market conditions for local cannabis operators.

What the office does

The Office of Cannabis regulates ‘‘seed to sale’’ activity in San Francisco: cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and retail. Deputy Director Jeremy Schwartz and staff outlined core functions: permitting, compliance/enforcement and a social-equity grant program aimed at communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Permitting and Good Neighbor requirements

Permitting is a two-part process: initial review (landlord authorization letters, zoning and 600-foot buffers) followed by a part-2 review when a job card is issued that examines operational plans, premises diagrams and public outreach. Each permitted business must provide a Good Neighbor Policy with a named community liaison to respond to neighborhood concerns. Compliance staff conduct pre-permit inspections and annual post-permit inspections to verify signage, no-loitering rules, ID checks and other public-safety measures.

Social-equity grants and technical assistance

The Office highlighted a grant program that has distributed nearly $14 million to local operators and maintains high utilization rates. Grant recipients may use funds across a range of eligible expenses — including professional services, tenant improvements and, with new flexibility, acquisition of commercial property for verified equity applicants. The office pairs grants with technical assistance for accounting, legal advice and security consulting.

Market conditions and challenges

Office staff estimated the local cannabis market at roughly $200 million annually and approximately 115 permitted businesses, employing hundreds of people. Staff identified several stressors: a statewide spending downturn, a steep state excise tax (recently near 19%), local and state tax burdens that can push effective tax rates toward 35–40%, federal scheduling that limits banking and traditional financing, and a local retail moratorium on new storefront retail applications in effect through the end of 2027.

Opportunities

The office said it is exploring growth areas including permitted special events, consumption lounges and support for pending state or local legislation that would enable on‑premise dining (the so‑called ‘‘cannabis cafe’’ model). The office also said it is considering targeted bonuses and incentives to encourage community‑minded operations and move‑in ready commercial buildouts in redevelopment projects.

Commission questions and next steps

Commissioners praised the office’s customer-service approach and sought detail on issues including timelines for cafes, the moratorium’s impact and security for retail businesses. Office staff said they will continue coordinating with other city departments, police and the Office of Small Business to streamline permitting and address public-safety concerns. The office offered to continue engagement with the commission and merchant groups.","The Office of Cannabis outlined the seed‑to‑sale permitting process, compliance tools, social-equity grant program and market challenges — including a state excise tax and a retail moratorium — and listed opportunities such as events, consumption lounges and prospective ‘cannabis cafe’ legislation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587191,"Small Business Commission backs Family Zoning Plan with recommendations to codify tenant notification and incentives for small-business retention",796,3978000,4774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d&start=3978&end=4774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d/thumbnail_3978000.jpg","/articles/6587191/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Small-Business-Commission-backs-Family-Zoning-Plan-with-recommendations-to-codify-tenant-notification-and-incentives-for-small-business-retention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587191-8e4b444114e01e3640082176412c31ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447951&Signature=abFWzggoTsAFQDHYE~SYzCQy2EYRTNqUT9OG04zoPfWYWe1PaqZBL7WuEVVCBlQQZxi0jf04haKEjnT37OwsIzpKfU8J6IEdzB4yElUb21HLAJszKmvq4bYvVCf1IEFstr-1uMhdfuvT4U7deoYoI5ASSTcjsnWQUa23IOSKyd8vlK7a29sAEPRjnhOiUKcYflQ8Jx44f2W7iOyGK0K-2lnrm5xYhwpLk1CBmmrJXittsLPHP7jZYvzuy8wqGSiZm8zk8BXops4Vze5bM5a2FHMfUGvn0~F9~O9XhTECEP8w0kjQ3K0Oo7YfaB7DvZRWHa1kdtner~oE1gRbgzXhBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Small Business Commission on Aug. 25 approved a motion supporting the Family Zoning Plan ordinances (Board of Supervisors files 250,700 and 250,701) while adding a set of recommended protections and incentives for small businesses facing redevelopment.

Planning Director Sarah Dennis Phillips, presenting the zoning and planning-code amendments, said the package is part of the city’s response to state housing mandates. ‘‘If the homes mandated by the state…are built over the next eight years, we'd see $5,600,000,000 in spending to local and small businesses,’’ Dennis Phillips said, adding that even partial buildout would generate meaningful local spending.

Commission recommendations

After extended discussion and public comment, commissioners voted to approve the zoning files with specific recommendations that planning staff said they will seek to codify or advance at the Sept. 11 Planning Commission hearing. The commission’s recommendations included:

- Codify an early-notification requirement so the Office of Small Business and affected commercial and residential tenants are notified when a development application is submitted;
- Require tracking and public reporting on the number of small businesses affected annually by rezonings and redevelopment under the plan;
- Create incentives (development bonuses) to require or reward warm-shell or ‘‘move-in ready’’ retail buildouts and tenant-improvement contributions for small businesses in newly redeveloped ground-floor space;
- Encourage bonuses for developer contributions to the proposed small-business relocation/rezoning fund and to worker-ownership transition funds; and
- Pursue state-level advocacy to allow commercial relocation assistance and other statutory changes that would better protect displaced small businesses.

Commissioners and presenters emphasized that much of the administration’s plan already protects ground-floor commercial requirements in existing commercial districts and includes development bonuses for projects that preserve or provide space for relocated legacy businesses. Director Dennis Phillips said planning staff have already waived conditional-use requirements for displaced businesses in the draft plan and are proposing bonuses to encourage developers to provide move-in ready spaces, permit-fee waivers and other supports.

Public comment and disagreement

Public speakers split. Small Business Forward and other advocates urged stronger, codified protections (warm shells and a funded relocation program). The Housing Action Coalition supported the plan as a tool to deliver more housing and bring customers to merchants but urged continued refinement.

Vote and outcome

The commission adopted the motion to approve files 250,700 and 250,701 with the listed recommendations. The motion passed by roll call 4–0 (Commissioner Herbert, President Huey, Commissioner Ortiz Cartagena and Vice President Zazunas all voted yes). Commissioners Benitez, Cornett and Dickerson were absent.

What this means

Planning staff said they will codify the early-notification practice into the zoning ordinance and explore additional codified bonuses and incentives on Sept. 11 at the Planning Commission hearing. Several commissioners urged the Board of Supervisors and planning staff to prioritize measurable mitigation — funding for relocation, warm-shell standards and a longitudinal tracking program — as the rezoning proceeds.","The commission approved recommendations on the Family Zoning Plan (files 250,700/250,701), asking planning staff to codify early tenant notification, track small-business impacts, pursue incentives for warm-shell retail buildouts and advocate for state-level relocation assistance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587196,"Supervisors’ proposal to require conditional-use review for legacy businesses draws split Small Business Commission response",3868,126000,3994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d&start=126&end=3994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5672012-1224374f5a213ed73bd4a1dacc6a6b0d/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6587196/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Supervisors-proposal-to-require-conditional-use-review-for-legacy-businesses-draws-split-Small-Business-Commission-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587196-2ccfc8a1107f84e2ec13cab10bb8da68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447951&Signature=K683n8296U03uLsISKoy6NyxP351Xt0qqskWra9xlKHPOwwn5wD8e~of03bQp3-J~4h1IxWnnz3l0vsSsh45ZXePRzvhB1VJO8nd1xOUbdHBYpq9kuxcDjP-0uZN-LypFd6oA4xXgjhhI-Tb4KEfXG27XokQjk6I~iTPAhjE9~-RQIeQH21q4GmFPyXQsaKXQ8HjzXzzHDD~70YcctPpS0Mz87NyOYeg5IoGUmh9-xhbTgexfc~d8W150JzbBT~Z5r1cHLi4sbFVdagz~o~GsBJTFcwPT8IBvkLAJ7J9uBpYTW6DeL0U-NosByNBXMwZUQJU9rNWn82aQknCqGU-yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Supervisor Connie Chan asked the Small Business Commission on Aug. 25 to support legislation (Board of Supervisors file 250,808) to make permanent a conditional-use authorization process when a legacy business is replaced by a new nonresidential use in certain neighborhood commercial districts. The measure would restore or extend a review requirement that Supervisor Chan said was introduced earlier as an interim zoning control and was needed as San Francisco considers a separate upzoning package.

The proposal would apply the conditional-use requirement to ‘‘legacy businesses’’ — businesses that have operated 30 years or more — in specified neighborhood commercial and mixed-use districts. ‘‘The conditional use really…does not ban a new development. What it actually does is it require a conversation,’’ Supervisor Chan said, describing the requirement as a modest tool to trigger public review and discussion when a legacy business might be displaced.

Why it matters: Commissioners and public commenters framed the item as a narrow tool aimed at preserving long-running neighborhood businesses amid broader rezoning and redevelopment proposals. Supporters said the CU process creates a public forum for neighbors and merchants to influence reuse plans; opponents and several commissioners said the CU process can be slow, costly and sometimes deters new small entrepreneurs from taking over spaces.

Discussion and concerns

Commissioners raised multiple objections to CU as a broad remedy. Commissioner Ortiz Cartagena said the CU process can ‘‘strike fear’’ into small-business owners and described instances in the Mission where CU requirements delayed or discouraged new entrepreneurs. ‘‘It is a scary process,’’ Ortiz Cartagena said, describing cases where required review added years and expense and ultimately harmed small entrepreneurs.

Vice President Zazunas and others pressed for clear exemptions and faster timelines. Commissioners and Supervisor Chan discussed possible refinements, including waivers for another legacy operator returning to the same site, a streamlined CU timeline, and development bonuses or impact-fee structures to offset relocation costs. Supervisor Chan said she was open to amendments that would shorten the process or exempt certain small-business situations, and she flagged that related mayoral zoning proposals (files 250,700 and 250,701) did not contain CU or impact-fee requirements for relocating legacy businesses.

Public comment and context

Small-business advocates who helped secure the temporary protection said the CU tool was a needed ‘‘tool in the toolkit’’ in cases where a single property owner had been creating vacancies and evicting long-standing businesses. A speaker representing merchants in Fillmore cited two long-running businesses that faced evictions and urged retention of tools to allow public scrutiny of proposed changes.

Commission action

Rather than recommending approval of Supervisor Chan’s ordinance, the commission voted on a motion to make no recommendation to the Board of Supervisors while urging further work. The motion called for continued study and improvements to the conditional-use process (including transparent timelines), investigation of alternative tools and incentives to mitigate displacement, and consideration of impact-fee or developer-incentive approaches. The motion passed on a 3–1 roll call: Commissioner Herbert, President Huey and Commissioner Ortiz Cartagena voted yes; Vice President Zazunas voted no. The commission recorded no formal approval of the ordinance itself.

What’s next

Because the commission chose not to forward a recommendation, the item remains before the Board of Supervisors. Commissioners asked staff and the sponsor to pursue amendments that would shorten CU timelines, create exemptions or faster tracks for small or returning legacy businesses, and explore nexus studies on displacement mitigation including financial assistance or developer incentives.

Ending note

Speakers on both sides said the CU is only one tool among many. Supporters urged retention of any process that creates a public forum before longtime neighborhood businesses are displaced; critics said the city must pair any review requirement with streamlined procedures, funding and meaningful relocation help so small businesses are not hurt by the remedy intended to protect them.","Supervisor Connie Chan urged making conditional-use (CU) review permanent for legacy businesses; commissioners expressed concern CU can be burdensome for small operators and instead voted to make no recommendation while urging improvements to the CU process and further study of mitigation tools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Francisco launches simplified registration for outdoor dining furniture with no permit fees

Office of Cannabis briefs Small Business Commission: market size, regulatory burdens and social-equity grants

Small Business Commission backs Family Zoning Plan with recommendations to codify tenant notification and incentives for small-business retention

Supervisors’ proposal to require conditional-use review for legacy businesses draws split Small Business Commission response