Chapter 94D — GREATER DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT MASTER PERMITTING FOR…

Sec. 94D.1. Definitions.

Sec. 94D.2. Policies, Objectives, and Interagency Coordination.

Sec. 94D.3. Eligible Activation Locations.

Sec. 94D.4. Application; Permit Terms; Enforcement.

Sec. 94D.5. Fees.

“CBD” means Community Benefit District.

“CBD Nonprofit” means a nonprofit owners’ association of a Greater Downtown CBD that has entered into a contract with the City to administer and implement the improvements, maintenance, and activities specified in the CBD’s management plan.

“Downtown Activation Location” or “Activation Location” means the City-owned land located on public right-of-way, including on streets and sidewalks, in the areas listed in Section 94D.3.

“Greater Downtown CBD” means the Union Square Business Improvement District, the Downtown Community Benefit District, the East Cut Community Benefit District, the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District, and any other property-based district that may be established pursuant to Article 15 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code and the California Streets and Highways Code Sections 36600 et seq. whose boundaries include one or more Activation Locations.

“Permit” or “Downtown Activation Permit” means a permit issued pursuant to this Chapter 94D and Public Works Code Section 795.

“Permittee” means a person that has been issued a Permit by the City for activities in the Activation Location.

(Added by Ord. 237-24, File No. 240804, App. 10/11/2024, Eff. 11/11/2024)

(a) Department of Public Works and General Coordination of Program Activities. The Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) shall be responsible for managing the Greater Downtown Activation Program as described in this Chapter 94D. All applications for a Downtown Activation Permit are subject to the review and approval of Public Works. Public Works may issue a permit for a single Activation Location or multiple Activation Locations. Public Works may approve, deny, or conditionally approve an application in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter and as set forth in Public Works Code Section 795. Public Works shall be responsible for:

(1) determining the eligibility of the applicant and the proposed location(s);

(2) approving physical treatments or improvements proposed by the applicant;

(3) approving the applicant’s proposed program of events for the Activation Location;

(4) consulting with, and coordinating approvals from, additional City agencies such as the Public Utilities Commission and the Fire Department;

(5) approving conditions regarding alcoholic beverages to be sold in any Entertainment Zone designated pursuant to Administrative Code Chapter 94B;

(6) approving the Downtown Activation Permit along with the other City agencies with jurisdiction over the proposed Activation Location;

(7) conducting all disability-access related reviews on behalf of the City; and

(8) issuing the Downtown Activation Permit.

(b) No Additional Public Works Permits Required. A CBD Nonprofit that obtains a Permit shall not be required to obtain a street space occupancy permit, as described in Public Works Code Section 724, a Shared Spaces Permit, as described in Administrative Code Chapter 94A, or a Street Encroachment Permit, as described in Public Works Code Section 786.

(c) San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Any street closure proposed by the CBD Nonprofit must be reviewed and approved by the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (“ISCOTT”) consistent with Transportation Code, Division I, Article 6, or by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (“SFMTA”) Board of Directors consistent with Transportation Code, Division II, Article 200.

(d) Fire Department. Prior to receiving a Permit pursuant to this Chapter 94D, the Permittee must obtain an Outdoor Assembly for Downtown Activations Permit from the Fire Department in accordance with Fire Code Section 105.5.62 for all proposed locations, site plans, and events. In addition, prior to the event, the Permittee shall obtain permits and approval from the Fire Department for any regulated activities (e.g., use of combustibles for food preparation, installation of tents over 400 square feet) as required by the Fire Code. As set forth in the Fire Code, when more than one Fire Department permit is required for the same applicant, the permits may be consolidated. Public Works shall coordinate with the Fire Department to facilitate timely review prior to scheduled events.

any regulated activities (e.g., use of combustibles for food preparation, installation of tents over 400 square feet) as required by the Fire Code. As set forth in the Fire Code, when more than one Fire Department permit is required for the same applicant, the permits may be consolidated. Public Works shall coordinate with the Fire Department to facilitate timely review prior to scheduled events.

(Added by Ord. 237-24, File No. 240804, App. 10/11/2024, Eff. 11/11/2024)

Downtown Activation Locations are limited to the following:

(a) “Annie Plaza” located on Annie Street, between Market Street and Stevenson Street;

(b) “Balance & Gold” located on Balance Street between Gold Street and Jackson Street and Gold Street between Sansome Street and Montgomery Street;

(c) “Claude Lane” located on Claude Lane between Bush Street and Sutter Street;

(d) “Front Street” located on Front Street between California Street and Sacramento Street;

(e) “Harlan Place and Mark Lane” located on Harlan Place between its terminus east of Stockton Street and on Mark Lane between Harlan Place and Bush Street;

(f) “Jessie Alleys” located on Jessie Street and Jessie West between Mission Street and Fifth Street (“Jessie West”) and on Jessie Street and Jessie East between Mission Street and Fourth Street (“Jessie East”);

(g) “Landing at Leidesdorff” located on Leidesdorff Street between Sacramento Street and Clay Street and Commercial Street between Montgomery Street and Sansome Street;

(h) “Maiden Lane” located on Maiden Lane between Stockton Street and Kearny Street;

(i) “Minna Alley” located on Minna Street between Second Street and New Montgomery Street;

(j) “Natoma” located on Natoma Street between Second Street and the southwestern corner of the Salesforce Transit Center property; and

(k) “Second Street” located on Second Street between Market Street and Howard Street.

(l) “Yerba Buena Lane” located on Yerba Buena Lane, between Market Street and Mission Street, and on the northern side of Mission Street only, excluding the public street portion of Mission Street, between Yerba Buena Lane and 3rd Street, and extending to and including Jessie Square.

(Added by Ord. 237-24, File No. 240804, App. 10/11/2024, Eff. 11/11/2024; amended by Ord. 71-25, File No. 250348, App. 5/16/2025, Eff. 6/16/2025; Ord. 100-25, File No. 250421, App. 6/27/2025, Eff. 7/28/2025)

The application requirements, permits terms and conditions, and enforcement of Downtown Activation Permits are set forth in Public Works Code Section 795.

(Added by Ord. 237-24, File No. 240804, App. 10/11/2024, Eff. 11/11/2024)

(a) The Department of Public Works shall charge an application fee sufficient to recover actual costs incurred by the Department on a time and materials basis, but in no event shall the fee charged exceed $750 per Activation Location. Payment of said fee shall be a condition of any approval to operate an Activation Location.

(b) A CBD Nonprofit is not subject to the public right-of-way occupancy assessment fee as set forth in Public Works Code Section 786.7.

(c) The Controller shall adjust fees each year, without further action by the Board of Supervisors, up to an amount that reflects changes in the relevant Consumer Price Index, as determined by the Controller.

(Added by Ord. 237-24, File No. 240804, App. 10/11/2024, Eff. 11/11/2024)