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Chapter 2 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORSArticle IX — OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER(S)

SEC. 2.81. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER(S) – DESIGNATION.

San Francisco Administrative Code · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco

In each year, the Board of Supervisors shall designate the official newspaper or newspapers of the City and County as herein below set forth.

(a) On or before the first day of December in 1994 and each ensuing June thereafter, the Purchaser shall prepare a notice inviting sealed proposals for: (1) the publication of all official advertising of the City and County which is required by law to be published on two or more consecutive days, and all official advertising of the City and County which is required to be published in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.200 or 2.201 of the Charter for special meetings of the Board of Supervisors and its standing or special committees; and (2) the publication of all official advertising of the City and County, which is required by law to be published one time, other than the provisions of Sections 2.200 or 2.201 of the Charter as they relate to special meetings of the Board of Supervisors and its standing or special committees; and all official advertising of the City and County which is required by law to be published more than one time, but not more than three times a week for a specified number of weeks. Said notices shall be published once in the appropriate official newspaper of the City and County. At least five days shall intervene between the date of publication and the time for filing such sealed proposals. Each proposal shall be required to include among other things:

(1) Bidder's most recent circulation audit report covering a period of established and verified circulation for at least six months;

(2) A Distribution Declaration from bidder declaring that any individual or business entity within the City and County who requests delivery of the same general newspaper shall receive delivery of the same general newspaper, and in the same timely fashion as every other person;

(3) Each bidder who submits a bid as a joint venture or which is to be performed by a joint venture, must include a copy of a fully executed joint venture agreement. Each joint venture partner individually must meet all of the requirements set forth in the Charter and Administrative Code;

(4) Each bidder must establish that it has met all minimum requirements listed in Paragraphs 2.81(1), 2.81(2), and 2.81(3), above, for at least four full weeks prior to bid opening.

(b) The Purchaser shall evaluate each proposal taking into consideration the cost of advertising in each newspaper, the circulation of each newspaper, and the cost of each newspaper to the general public according to the following point system:

(1) Advertising Price. The newspaper which bids the lowest price for advertising shall receive 15 points. Every other newspaper shall receive a proportionate number of points ("Proportional Advertising Price Points"), according to the following formula:

Proportional Advertising Price

Lowest Price Bid Points = 15 x Highest Price Bid

As used in this formula, "Lowest Price Bid" shall be the dollar amount bid by the newspaper submitting the lowest price bid for advertising. "Higher Price Bid" shall mean the dollar amount bid for advertising by the particular other newspaper as to which the point calculation is made.

(2) Circulation. The newspaper with the largest circulation shall receive 10 points. Every other newspaper shall receive a proportionate number of points ("Proportional Circulation Points"), according to the following formula:

Proportional Circulation

Lowest Circulation Points = 10 x Highest Circulation

As used in this formula, "Lower Circulation" shall mean the circulation of the particular other newspaper as to which the point calculation is made (calculated according to Subsection (b)(3). "Highest Circulation" shall mean the circulation of the bidding newspaper with the highest circulation (calculated according to Subsection (b)(3).

(3) Circulation Calculation. For Item 1 bidders, circulation shall be calculated by adding the total number of newspaper copies delivered to homes in the City and County for all days of a one-week period. For Item 2 bidders, circulation shall be calculated by adding the total number of newspaper copies delivered to homes in the City and County for any three days of a one-week period.

(4) Newspaper Cost. Any newspaper with a majority of circulation that is free of charge to the general public shall receive an additional five points.

(5) Local/Minority/Woman Ownership. Any bidder whose newspaper is locally owned and operated shall receive an additional two points. Any bidder whose newspaper has more than 50 percent minority ownership shall receive an additional two points. Any bidder whose newspaper is woman-owned shall receive an additional two points.

(c) The Purchaser shall, not less than 10 days after the date of publication of said notices, report to the Board of Supervisors the point totals of any and all sealed proposals received by him or her, and shall make his or her recommendation(s) to the Board of Supervisors. Thereupon, the Board of

Supervisors shall, by resolution, choose and designate a newspaper or newspapers as the official newspaper or newspapers of the City and County for the ensuing fiscal year, and the Purchaser shall let a contract or contracts to said newspaper(s) for said fiscal year.

(Amended by Ord. 382-78, App. 8/18/78; Ord. 313-93, App. 10/15/93; Ord. 63-94, App. 2/10/94; Ord. 215-94, App. 6/2/94; amended by Proposition J, 11/8/94)

SEC. 2.81-1. USE OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS.

If the circulation of the official newspaper(s) varies by day or the cost of advertising varies by day, the Purchaser shall direct all City departments to advertise in those editions of the newspaper(s) with the greatest circulation and lowest advertising cost.

(Added by Proposition J, 11/8/94)

SEC. 2.81-2. OUTREACH FUND.

(a) Establishment of Fund. Each fiscal year the Purchaser shall establish an outreach fund by withholding 10 percent of all revenue paid to each official newspaper. The Purchaser shall accrue these funds on a monthly basis.

(b) Purpose of Fund. This fund is created for the purpose of placing weekly outreach advertisements in selected outreach periodicals. Outreach advertisements shall be paid for solely by using monies from the outreach fund.

(c) Balance of Monies in Fund. Any amounts unspent or uncommitted at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year and shall be appropriated then or thereafter for the purposes specified.

(Added by Proposition J, 11/8/94)

SEC. 2.81-3. OUTREACH PERIODICALS – DESIGNATION.

In each year, the Board of Supervisors shall designate the outreach periodical for each outreach community as herein below set forth.

On or before the first day of December in 1994 and each ensuing June thereafter, the Purchaser shall prepare a notice inviting sealed proposals for the purpose of selecting one outreach periodical from each outreach community. The Purchaser shall evaluate each proposal according to the following point system:

(a) Advertising Price. For each outreach community, the periodical which bids the lowest price shall receive 15 points. Every other periodical for that outreach community shall receive a proportional amount of points according to the relation of its price to the price of the lowest bidder.

(b) Circulation. For each outreach community, the periodical with the largest circulation shall receive 10 points. Every other periodical for that outreach community shall receive a proportionate amount of points according to the relation of its circulation to the largest circulation. Circulation shall be calculated by taking the total number of copies distributed in the City and County on any one day during a one-week period.

(c) Periodical Cost. Any periodical with a majority of circulation that is free of charge to the general public shall receive an additional five points.

(d) Local/Minority Ownership. Any bidder whose periodical is locally owned and operated shall receive an additional two points. Any bidder whose periodical has more than 50 percent minority ownership shall receive an additional two points. Any bidder whose periodical is women-owned shall receive an additional two points.

(e) Foreign Language Publications. Periodicals with a majority of its editorial content published in the native language of that outreach community shall receive an additional five points.

The Purchaser shall, not less than 10 days after the date of publication of said notices, report to the Board of Supervisors the point totals of any and all sealed proposals received by him or her, and shall make his or her recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Thereupon, the Board of Supervisors shall, by resolution, choose and designate periodicals as the outreach periodicals of the City and County for the ensuing fiscal year, and the Purchaser shall let contracts to said periodicals for said fiscal year.

(Added by Proposition J, 11/8/94)

SEC. 2.81-4. NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH.

If the Board of Supervisors finds that certain neighborhoods are not being adequately served by the official newspaper(s) and the outreach periodicals, the Board may authorize additional advertising in monthly neighborhood publications which target certain neighborhoods in San Francisco.

(Added by Proposition J, 11/8/94)

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Contents — San Francisco Administrative Code
San Francisco Administrative Code
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
  3. Chapter 2A — EXECUTIVE BRANCH
  4. Chapter 2B
  5. Chapter 3 — BUDGET PROCEDURES
  6. Chapter 4 — CITY BUILDINGS E UIPMENT AND VEHICLES , Q,
  7. Chapter 5 — COMMITTEES
  8. Chapter 6 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  9. Chapter 7 — DISASTER COUNCIL
  10. Chapter 8 — DOCUMENTS RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS ,
  11. Chapter 9A — FARMERS' MARKET
  12. Chapter 9B — FLEA MARKET
  13. Chapter 10 — FINANCE TAXATION AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS ,,
  14. Chapter 10A — [REQUEST FOR SHERIFF’S SERVICES]
  15. Chapter 10B — SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
  16. Chapter 10C — REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES
  17. Chapter 10D — [RESERVED] CHAPTER 10E: PLANNING MONITORING
  18. Chapter 10F
  19. Chapter 10G
  20. Chapter 10H — RECOVERY OF COSTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
  21. Chapter 11 — FRANCHISES
  22. Chapter 12 — HOUSING AUTHORITY
  23. Chapter 12A
  24. Chapter 12B — [REDESIGNATED]
  25. Chapter 12C — [REDESIGNATED]
  26. Chapter 12D — MINORITY/WOMEN/LOCAL BUSINESS UTILIZATION
  27. Chapter 12E — BAN ON CITY USE OF GAS-POWERED LANDSCAPING EQUIP…
  28. Chapter 12F — IMPLEMENTING THE MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES – NORTHERN …
  29. Chapter 12G — PROHIBITION ON USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR POLITICAL…
  30. Chapter 12H — IMMIGRATION STATUS
  31. Chapter 12I — CIVIL IMMIGRATION DETAINERS
  32. Chapter 12J — CITY BUSINESS WITH BURMA PROHIBITED
  33. Chapter 12K — [REDESIGNATED]
  34. Chapter 12L
  35. Chapter 12M
  36. Chapter 12N — LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND …
  37. Chapter 12O — [REDESIGNATED]
  38. Chapter 12P — [REDESIGNATED]
  39. Chapter 12Q — [REDESIGNATED]
  40. Chapter 12R — [REDESIGNATED]
  41. Chapter 12S — WORKING FAMILIES CREDIT PROGRAM
  42. Chapter 12T — [REDESIGNATED]
  43. Chapter 12U
  44. Chapter 12V — [REDESIGNATED]
  45. Chapter 12W — [REDESIGNATED] 1
  46. Chapter 12X — [REPEALED]
  47. Chapter 12Y
  48. Chapter 12Z — [REDESIGNATED]
  49. Chapter 13 — JAILS AND PRISONERS
  50. Chapter 14 — [REDESIGNATED]
  51. Chapter 14A — DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
  52. Chapter 14B — LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION AND NON-DI…
  53. Chapter 14C — [EXPIRED]
  54. Chapter 15 — MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
  55. Chapter 16 — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES GENERALLY
  56. Chapter 17 — PUBLIC OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
  57. Chapter 18 — PAYROLL PROCEDURE
  58. Chapter 19 — PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA ORDINANCE
  59. Chapter 19A — PUBLIC HEALTH
  60. Chapter 19B — ACQUISITION OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
  61. Chapter 20 — SOCIAL SERVICES
  62. Chapter 21 — ACQUISITION OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  63. Chapter 21A — HEALTH-RELATED COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  64. Chapter 21B — CORE INITIATIVES ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, DRUG O…
  65. Chapter 21C — [REDESIGNATED]
  66. Chapter 21D — FOOD PURCHASES AT HOSPITALS OPERATED BY THE DEPA…
  67. Chapter 21E — GOODS OR SERVICES CONTRACTS FOR INCARCERATED PER…
  68. Chapter 21F — SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SOCIAL…
  69. Chapter 21G
  70. Chapter 21H — PROCUREMENT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
  71. Chapter 22 — RADIO COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
  72. Chapter 22A — INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
  73. Chapter 22B — TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  74. Chapter 22C — PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS
  75. Chapter 22D — OPEN DATA POLICY
  76. Chapter 22E — CITY-OWNED FIBER-OPTIC FACILITIES
  77. Chapter 22G — OFFICE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
  78. Chapter 22H — DESIGNATION UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY A…
  79. Chapter 22I — OFFICE OF CYBER SECURITY AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF…
  80. Chapter 22J — ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
  81. Chapter 23 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
  82. Chapter 23A — SURPLUS PUBLIC LANDS ORDINANCE
  83. Chapter 24 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
  84. Chapter 24A — ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE LOCAL RENT SUPPLEMENT P…
  85. Chapter 24B — RELOCATION APPEALS BOARD
  86. Chapter 25 — STREET LIGHTING
  87. Chapter 26 — [RESERVED]
  88. Chapter 27 — HEALTHY NAIL SALON RECOGNITION PROGRAM
  89. Chapter 28 — ADMINISTRATIVE DEBARMENT PROCEDURE
  90. Chapter 29 — FINDINGS OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY
  91. Chapter 29A — APPROVAL OF POWER PLANT PLANNING CODE SEC. 303 C…
  92. Chapter 29B — CHILD CARE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CITY AND CITY-F…
  93. Chapter 30 — CENTRALIZATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
  94. Chapter 31 — CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PROCEDURES A…
  95. Chapter 32 — RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
  96. Chapter 33 — COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
  97. Chapter 33A — LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVE…
  98. Chapter 34 — NOTIFICATION TO ASSESSOR CONCERNING ZONING RECLAS…
  99. Chapter 35 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL AND PDR COMPATIBILITY AND PROTE…
  100. Chapter 36 — COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS AREA PLANS AND PROGRAMS
  101. Chapter 37 — RESIDENTIAL RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION OR…
  102. Chapter 37A — RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION FEE
  103. Chapter 37B — MIDTOWN PARK APARTMENTS
  104. Chapter 37C — [EXPIRED]
  105. Chapter 38 — COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS; ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OBLIGATI…
  106. Chapter 39 — [RIGHT TO RETURN TO REVITALIZED PUBLIC HOUSING]
  107. Chapter 40 — HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
  108. Chapter 41 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  109. Chapter 41A — RESIDENTIAL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  110. Chapter 41B — COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ACT
  111. Chapter 41C — TIME-SHARE CONVERSION ORDINANCE
  112. Chapter 41D — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL VISITOR POLICIES
  113. Chapter 41E — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL MAIL RECEPTACLE ORDINANCE
  114. Chapter 41F
  115. Chapter 41G — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL COVID-19 PROTECTIONS
  116. Chapter 41H — [EXPIRED]
  117. Chapter 42 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
  118. Chapter 43 — MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW
  119. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.1.1. TITLE.
  120. Title 2 — FINANCING RESIDENCES SEC. 43.1.7. LOANS FOR RESIDENC…
  121. Title 3 — BONDS
  122. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
  123. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.2.1. TITLE.
  124. Title 2 — FINANCING FACILITIES
  125. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.2.17. ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
  126. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.2.27. LIBERAL CONSTR…
  127. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.1. TITLE.
  128. Title 2 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO FORMATION OF DISTRICTS SEC. 4…
  129. Title 3 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO BONDS SEC. 43.10.18. ALTERNAT…
  130. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.22. LIBERAL CONST…
  131. Title 5 — CHANGE PROCEEDINGS SEC. 43.10.26. ALTERNATE PROCEDUR…
  132. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.15.1. TIT…
  133. Title 2 — RESIDENCES SEC. 43.15.6. LOANS TO QUALIFIED 501(c)(3…
  134. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.15.15. ISSUANCE OF BONDS; LOANS TO QUA…
  135. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.15.25. LIBERAL CONST…

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