Article XIV — CITY ATTORNEY
San Francisco Administrative Code · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco
Sec. 2A.230. Enforcement of Local Laws.
Sec. 2A.231. Enforcement of State Law.
SEC. 2A.230. ENFORCEMENT OF LOCAL LAWS. ¶
In investigating any matter where the San Francisco Charter or any ordinance of the City and County grants to the City Attorney the duty or power to seek enforcement of any provision of the Charter or any ordinance, the City Attorney shall have the power to inspect, upon reasonable notice, all documents required to be maintained under Government Code Sections 84100 et seq., Government Code Sections 86100 et seq., San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Sections 1.100 et seq., and San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Sections 2.100 et seq. The City Attorney shall also have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence and require by subpoena the production of any books, papers, records or other items relevant to the performance of the City Attorney's enforcement duties or powers.
The City Attorney shall also have these powers in investigating any matter where the San Francisco Charter or any ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco grants to the City Attorney the duty or power to act as the civil prosecutor with respect to any provision of the Charter or any ordinance or to institute a civil action for violation of any such provision. The City Attorney may exercise these inspection and subpoena powers prior to the filing of any civil or administrative action.
(Added by Ord. 319-95, App. 10/13/95; amended by Ord. 70-00, File No. 000357, App. 4/28/2000)
SEC. 2A.231. ENFORCEMENT OF STATE LAW. ¶
Unless otherwise prohibited by State law, in investigating any matter where State law grants to the City Attorney the duty or power to seek enforcement of any provision of State law, the City Attorney shall have the power to inspect, upon reasonable notice, all documents required to be maintained under Government Code Sections 84100 et seq., Government Code Sections 86100 et seq., San Francisco Administrative Code Sections 16.501 et seq., and San Francisco Administrative Code Sections 16.520 et seq. The City Attorney shall also have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence and require by subpoena the production of any books, papers, records or other items relevant to the performance of the City Attorney's enforcement duties or powers.
The City Attorney shall also have these powers in investigating any matter where State law grants to the City Attorney the duty or power to act as the civil prosecutor with respect to any provision of the State law or to institute a civil action for violation of any State law. The City Attorney may exercise these inspection and subpoena powers prior to the filing of any civil or administrative action.
(Added by Ord. 319-95, App. 10/13/95; amended by Ord. 70-00, File No. 000357, App. 4/28/2000)
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- Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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▸ Chapter 2A — EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Overview- Article I — MAYOR CITY ADMINISTRATOR CONTROLLER ; ;
- Article II — DEPARTMENTS
- Article III — CITY PLANNING
- Article IV — DISTRICT ATTORNEY POLICE ;
- Article V — FIRE
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- Article VII — PUBLIC UTILITIES
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- Article IX — AIRPORT
- Article X — PARKING AND TRAFFIC
- Article XI — PUBLIC WORKS
- Article XII
- Article XIII — PUBLIC GUARDIAN; CONSUMER ASSURANCE, REGULATORY…
- Article XIV — CITY ATTORNEY
- Article XV
- Article XVI — SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION
- Article XVII
- Article XVIII — DEPARTMENT OF CONVENTION FACILITIES
- Article XIX — ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
- Article XX — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
- Article XXI — CITIZEN'S COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- Article XXII — POSTRELEASE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION PROGRAM
- Article XXIII — DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
- Article XXIV — CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
- Article XXV — HOMELESSNESS AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
- Article XXVI — CANNABIS REGULATION
- Article XXVII — OFFICE OF VICTIM AND WITNESS RIGHTS
- Article XXVIII — DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION AND STREETS
- Article XXIX — TREASURE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Chapter 2B
- Chapter 3 — BUDGET PROCEDURES
- Chapter 4 — CITY BUILDINGS E UIPMENT AND VEHICLES , Q,
- Chapter 5 — COMMITTEES
- Chapter 6 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
- Chapter 7 — DISASTER COUNCIL
- Chapter 8 — DOCUMENTS RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS ,
- Chapter 9A — FARMERS' MARKET
- Chapter 9B — FLEA MARKET
- Chapter 10 — FINANCE TAXATION AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS ,,
- Chapter 10A — [REQUEST FOR SHERIFF’S SERVICES]
- Chapter 10B — SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
- Chapter 10C — REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES
- Chapter 10D — [RESERVED] CHAPTER 10E: PLANNING MONITORING
- Chapter 10F
- Chapter 10G
- Chapter 10H — RECOVERY OF COSTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
- Chapter 11 — FRANCHISES
- Chapter 12 — HOUSING AUTHORITY
- Chapter 12A
- Chapter 12B — [REDESIGNATED]
- Chapter 12C — [REDESIGNATED]
- Chapter 12D — MINORITY/WOMEN/LOCAL BUSINESS UTILIZATION
- Chapter 12E — BAN ON CITY USE OF GAS-POWERED LANDSCAPING EQUIP…
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- Chapter 12S — WORKING FAMILIES CREDIT PROGRAM
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- Chapter 12U
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- Chapter 12W — [REDESIGNATED] 1
- Chapter 12X — [REPEALED]
- Chapter 12Y
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- Chapter 13 — JAILS AND PRISONERS
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- Chapter 14A — DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
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- Chapter 14C — [EXPIRED]
- Chapter 15 — MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
- Chapter 16 — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES GENERALLY
- Chapter 17 — PUBLIC OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
- Chapter 18 — PAYROLL PROCEDURE
- Chapter 19 — PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA ORDINANCE
- Chapter 19A — PUBLIC HEALTH
- Chapter 19B — ACQUISITION OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
- Chapter 20 — SOCIAL SERVICES
- Chapter 21 — ACQUISITION OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
- Chapter 21A — HEALTH-RELATED COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
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- Chapter 21C — [REDESIGNATED]
- Chapter 21D — FOOD PURCHASES AT HOSPITALS OPERATED BY THE DEPA…
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- Chapter 21G
- Chapter 21H — PROCUREMENT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
- Chapter 22 — RADIO COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
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- Chapter 22C — PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS
- Chapter 22D — OPEN DATA POLICY
- Chapter 22E — CITY-OWNED FIBER-OPTIC FACILITIES
- Chapter 22G — OFFICE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
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- Chapter 22J — ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
- Chapter 23 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
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- Chapter 24 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
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- Chapter 24B — RELOCATION APPEALS BOARD
- Chapter 25 — STREET LIGHTING
- Chapter 26 — [RESERVED]
- Chapter 27 — HEALTHY NAIL SALON RECOGNITION PROGRAM
- Chapter 28 — ADMINISTRATIVE DEBARMENT PROCEDURE
- Chapter 29 — FINDINGS OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY
- Chapter 29A — APPROVAL OF POWER PLANT PLANNING CODE SEC. 303 C…
- Chapter 29B — CHILD CARE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CITY AND CITY-F…
- Chapter 30 — CENTRALIZATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 31 — CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PROCEDURES A…
- Chapter 32 — RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
- Chapter 33 — COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
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- Chapter 34 — NOTIFICATION TO ASSESSOR CONCERNING ZONING RECLAS…
- Chapter 35 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL AND PDR COMPATIBILITY AND PROTE…
- Chapter 36 — COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS AREA PLANS AND PROGRAMS
- Chapter 37 — RESIDENTIAL RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION OR…
- Chapter 37A — RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION FEE
- Chapter 37B — MIDTOWN PARK APARTMENTS
- Chapter 37C — [EXPIRED]
- Chapter 38 — COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS; ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OBLIGATI…
- Chapter 39 — [RIGHT TO RETURN TO REVITALIZED PUBLIC HOUSING]
- Chapter 40 — HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
- Chapter 41 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
- Chapter 41A — RESIDENTIAL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
- Chapter 41B — COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ACT
- Chapter 41C — TIME-SHARE CONVERSION ORDINANCE
- Chapter 41D — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL VISITOR POLICIES
- Chapter 41E — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL MAIL RECEPTACLE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 41F
- Chapter 41G — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL COVID-19 PROTECTIONS
- Chapter 41H — [EXPIRED]
- Chapter 42 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Chapter 43 — MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.1.1. TITLE.
- Title 2 — FINANCING RESIDENCES SEC. 43.1.7. LOANS FOR RESIDENC…
- Title 3 — BONDS
- Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.2.1. TITLE.
- Title 2 — FINANCING FACILITIES
- Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.2.17. ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
- Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.2.27. LIBERAL CONSTR…
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.1. TITLE.
- Title 2 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO FORMATION OF DISTRICTS SEC. 4…
- Title 3 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO BONDS SEC. 43.10.18. ALTERNAT…
- Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.22. LIBERAL CONST…
- Title 5 — CHANGE PROCEEDINGS SEC. 43.10.26. ALTERNATE PROCEDUR…
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.15.1. TIT…
- Title 2 — RESIDENCES SEC. 43.15.6. LOANS TO QUALIFIED 501(c)(3…
- Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.15.15. ISSUANCE OF BONDS; LOANS TO QUA…
- Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.15.25. LIBERAL CONST…