Statement: No Fix Is Too Small to Help Small Businesses in San Francisco

Statement by Supervisor Joel Engardio
San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting
February 28, 2023

No Fix Is Too Small to Help Small Businesses in San Francisco

I am introducing an ordinance to help small businesses with permit fees for installing new awnings in front of their shops. 

There have been recent news reports about small businesses being cited for store awning violations despite years of using the awnings without complaint.

Business owners were understandably confused and besieged by the surge in violation notices. We should help them straighten out these compliance issues.  And I will support forthcoming legislation announced by Mayor Breed and President Peskin that will help owners become compliant.

We also need to make it easier for small business owners to install a new awning.

Before this awning issue made the news, I had been exploring ways to help small businesses owners recover after the pandemic.

We have a Small Business Month in San Francisco. Every May, small business owners can apply to have permit fees waived to replace store awnings. This also includes signs on replacement awnings and pedestrian-level lighting. The waived permit fees include the Planning Department, Department of Building Inspection, Fire Department, and Public Works. 

But there is a gap in the existing law. Fees are waived for replacement awnings only. New installations are not covered.

So the ordinance I am introducing amends the Planning and Building Codes to allow permit fees to be waived for new awning installations. Business owners must apply in the month of May. The ordinance has a retroactivity clause since it’s unlikely it will be signed into law before May. 

I look forward to working with the city departments during their review periods. And I hope to have the support of my colleagues to quickly provide this relief.

Small business owners have to navigate a labyrinth of regulations and fees to operate a store in our city. And they’re trying to survive that labyrinth and the economy.

This small fix is one step among many fixes that small businesses deserve. Every little bit helps.