What San Francisco Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

As one of the larger cities in California, San Francisco has a substantial set of local ordinances that govern everything from noise levels to what you can build in your backyard. With about 874000 residents, the city maintains 203 distinct rules across 50 categories. This guide gives you the big picture.

Fire Regulations

Backyard Fires: Open burning is prohibited in San Francisco under Fire Code Section 307 and BAAQMD Regulation 5. Only contained recreational fires in approved appliances with clean fuel are allowed.

Also covered: Wildfire Zones (permissive), Fireworks (strict), Outdoor Burning (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Noise Ordinances

Outdoor Music: Outdoor amplified music in San Francisco requires an Entertainment Commission Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit and must comply with Police Code Article 29 decibel limits. Block parties, festivals, and restaurant patios all need permits, with strict cutoff times of 10 p.m.

Also covered: Decibel Limits (strict), Industrial Noise (strict), Leaf Blower Rules (strict). See the full noise ordinances guide for San Francisco for details.

Home Business

Home Occupation Permits: San Francisco Planning Code Section 204.1 allows home occupations as an accessory use in residential zones with no permit if criteria are met. The business must be secondary to the dwelling, use no more than 1/3 of the unit, have no employees outside residents, and no customer visits or signage..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (moderate). See the full home business guide for San Francisco for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Insurance Requirements: San Francisco Admin Code Chapter 41A requires short-term rental hosts to carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance or to rent exclusively through a platform (Airbnb, VRBO) that provides equivalent host-protection coverage..

Also covered: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (strict), Host Presence Rule (strict), Host Platform Liability (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for San Francisco for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Front Yard Gardens: San Francisco allows front yard vegetable gardens. California AB 2561 protects the right to grow food on residential property.

Also covered: Bamboo Restrictions (permissive), Prohibited Species (moderate). See the full invasive plant rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Fence Regulations

Retaining Walls: San Francisco Building Code Section 105 requires permits for any retaining wall over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing). Engineered design and structural drawings are required for walls over 4 feet or those supporting a surcharge.

Also covered: Pool Barriers (strict), Height Limits (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: San Francisco Health Code Article 1 and state Fish & Game regulations prohibit feeding non-domestic wildlife including raccoons, skunks, coyotes, deer, and wild birds where it creates a nuisance. Pigeon feeding is banned on public property under Police Code Section 486..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Pet Store Rules (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for San Francisco for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: San Francisco Building Code Section 327 requires strict work practices for any disturbance or removal of paint on buildings built before 1979. Lead is presumed present on all pre-1979 buildings.

Also covered: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (strict), Green Building Code (strict), Anti-Mansionization (moderate). See the full building safety guide for San Francisco for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: San Francisco's Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance (Administrative Code Chapter 37) applies to most rental units built before June 13, 1979. Annual rent increases are limited to a percentage set by the Rent Board, which was 1.4% for March 2025 through February 2026..

Also covered: Tenant Anti-Harassment (strict), Cash-for-Keys Agreements (moderate), Source-of-Income Discrimination (strict). See the full rental property rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: San Francisco's Civil Sidewalks law, passed by voters in November 2010 as Proposition L, prohibits sitting or lying on public sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Also covered: Encampment Sanitation (strict), Bridge Housing Siting (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Public Health Rules

Rodent Control: SF Health Code Articles 11 and 26 require property owners to keep premises free of rats and mice, and the Department of Public Health may issue abatement orders or perform work and lien costs to the property..

Also covered: Syringe Disposal (permissive), Restaurant Grade Cards (moderate), Healthy Food Retail (permissive). See the full public health rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Cannabis retail dispensaries in San Francisco require both a state license and local authorization under Police Code Article 16. Dispensaries are subject to zoning restrictions including minimum distance requirements from schools and are limited to specific commercial and mixed-use zoning districts..

Also covered: Buffer Zones (moderate), Social Equity Licensing (permissive), Cannabis Delivery Rules (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban single-use plastic checkout bags in 2007 (grocers) and expanded the ban citywide to all retailers and restaurants in 2012.

Also covered: Polystyrene Foam Rules (strict). See the full single-use items guide for San Francisco for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: San Francisco was the first US city to raise tobacco purchase age to 21 (2016) and the first to ban sales of flavored tobacco (Prop E, 2018). Federal T21 and CA SB 793 now reinforce both.

Also covered: Flavored Tobacco Bans (strict), Vape Retail Rules (strict). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for San Francisco for details.

Environmental Rules

Climate Emergency Mobilization: San Francisco declared a climate emergency in 2019 and adopted a 2021 Climate Action Plan committing the city to net-zero emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of California's statewide target..

Also covered: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (moderate), Cool Roof Requirements (strict), Sustainable Procurement (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: San Francisco's Non-Potable Water Ordinance (Health Code Article 12C) requires new buildings of 100,000 square feet or larger to install onsite water reuse systems for toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling..

Also covered: Lawn Watering Restrictions (moderate), Leak Reporting Duty (permissive). See the full water use rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: Shared electric scooters in San Francisco operate only under SFMTA's Powered Scooter Share Permit Program. Riders must be 18 or older, use bike lanes where available, and avoid sidewalks; companies are capped citywide..

Also covered: Bike Lane Rules (moderate), Curb Management (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Density Bonus Law: San Francisco offers density and height bonuses to projects that include affordable housing through the local HOME-SF program (Planning Code 206.3) and the California State Density Bonus Law, with stacked incentives possible..

Also covered: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) (permissive). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for San Francisco for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: San Francisco's Urban Forestry Ordinance (Public Works Code Article 16) requires permits for the removal of street trees and significant trees on private property. The Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) within DPW reviews all tree removal requests..

Also covered: Urban Forest Equity (permissive), Tree Replacement Requirements (strict), Tree Ordinances (strict). See the full tree protection guide for San Francisco for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Hotel Worker Retention: When a San Francisco hotel changes ownership or operator, the new employer must retain existing service workers for a 90-day transition period under Police Code Article 33F, evaluating performance only at the end..

Also covered: Transient Occupancy Tax (moderate), Hotel Living Wage (strict). See the full hotels & lodging guide for San Francisco for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: San Francisco's local minimum wage is approximately $19.18 per hour for 2026, indexed to CPI under Administrative Code Chapter 12R. It applies to anyone working at least two hours per week within city limits..

Also covered: Healthcare Worker Wage (moderate), Paid Leave Preemption (strict), Worker Scheduling Preemption (strict). See the full employment preemption guide for San Francisco for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: San Francisco caps tobacco retail permits per district, prohibits new permits within 500 feet of schools, and bans all flavored tobacco sales including menthol under Health Code Article 19Q and Article 19R..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (moderate), Secondhand Dealers (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for San Francisco for details.

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: Health Code Article 19F bans smoking and vaping in nearly all outdoor public spaces in San Francisco, including parks, plazas, transit stops, dining areas, common areas of multi-unit housing, and within 15 feet of any business entrance..

Also covered: Aggressive Panhandling (moderate), Loud Party Ordinance (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for San Francisco for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Administrative Code Chapters 12H and 12I prohibit San Francisco employees and resources from helping federal immigration enforcement, restrict ICE detainer compliance, and bar information-sharing absent specific exceptions, codifying the city's longstanding sanctuary status..

Local Taxes & Fees

Vacancy Tax: Proposition M (2022), codified at Business and Tax Regulations Code Article 29A, imposes an annual Empty Homes Tax on residential units in buildings with three or more units that sit vacant more than 182 days per year, with rates rising the longer they stay empty..

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: San Francisco prohibits short-term rentals (under 30 days) of newly built ADUs unless the ADU is the host's primary residence under Admin Code Chapter 41A (Short-Term Residential Rentals). Most ADUs are restricted to long-term tenancies of 30+ days, and many fall under the Rent Ordinance once first rented..

Also covered: Tiny Homes (moderate), ADU Rules (permissive), ADU Impact Fees (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for San Francisco for details.

Parking Rules

Dibs & Space Saving: San Francisco explicitly prohibits using objects to claim on-street parking spaces. Space savers, cones, chairs, or other objects placed in public parking spots will be removed.

Also covered: Overnight Parking (moderate), EV Charging (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (strict). See the full parking rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Landscaping Rules

Artificial Turf: California Civil Code 4735 preempts HOA bans on artificial turf, and San Francisco allows artificial turf in residential front and rear yards subject to Planning Code landscaping requirements. Permeability, heat-island, and microplastic concerns mean the city discourages synthetic turf in new construction..

Also covered: Rainwater Harvesting (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Swimming pools at private single-family homes in San Francisco must comply with the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Sec. 115920-115929).

Also covered: Pool Permits (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for San Francisco for details.

Drone Rules

Park Drone Restrictions: San Francisco Recreation and Parks Commission prohibits drones in all city parks, recreation areas, and beaches under the SF Park Code and Commission Resolution. Golden Gate Park, Crissy Field (NPS), and Presidio are all closed to drone takeoff and landing.

Also covered: Commercial Drones (strict), Recreational Drones (strict). See the full drone rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Holiday Decorations

Lawn Ornament Rules: San Francisco's Planning Code permits residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and religious or political displays without permit so long as no structure exceeds 12 feet in height (Planning Code 136 accessory-structure rule) or encroaches into the public right-of-way. Signs with messaging are governed by Planning Code Article 6 (605-608), and HOA architectural review still applies..

Also covered: Holiday Light Rules (permissive), Inflatable Display Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for San Francisco for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: San Francisco prohibits open-flame cooking devices including charcoal, propane, and pellet grills on combustible balconies, decks, or within 10 feet of any combustible construction in multi-family buildings under San Francisco Fire Code Section 308.1.4, adopted from the California Fire Code with amendments. Electric grills are permitted..

Also covered: Smoker Rules (moderate), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for San Francisco for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: San Francisco requires a Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit from SF Public Works (~$8,500 first-year application + hearing fees) plus a SF Department of Public Health health permit (~$886/year). Each vending location requires its own permit under SF Public Works Code Article 5.8, with 75-day public hearing process and 75-ft buffer from brick-and-mortar restaurants..

Also covered: Vending Zones (strict). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for San Francisco for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: San Francisco parks are closed to the public from midnight to 5 AM under SF Park Code regulations, unless otherwise posted or authorized by the Recreation and Park Department. Specific parks may have different posted hours..

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (strict). See the full curfew laws guide for San Francisco for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: San Francisco does not impose specific frequency limits on residential garage sales. However, frequent or regular sales may be classified as commercial activity requiring a business registration certificate and compliance with home business zoning rules..

Also covered: Garage Sale Permits (permissive), Time Restrictions (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for San Francisco for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Temporary signs advertising garage sales or yard sales are subject to San Francisco's general sign regulations under Planning Code Article 6. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way or on city property..

Also covered: Political Signs (moderate), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: San Francisco's Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance (Environment Code Chapter 19, enacted 2009) was the first in the U.S. to require all residents and businesses to recycle and compost.

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (strict), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for San Francisco for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Vacant lots in San Francisco must be maintained in a clean and safe condition under the Public Works Code and Health Code. Owners must prevent accumulation of debris, control weeds and vegetation, and secure the lot against unauthorized access..

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for San Francisco for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: San Francisco does not have a standalone dark-sky ordinance, but the Planning Code and Building Code regulate outdoor lighting to minimize light pollution and glare. The city's Green Building Code includes lighting efficiency standards that indirectly reduce sky glow..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for San Francisco for details.

Street Vending

Cart & Stand Rules: San Francisco distinguishes between merchandise carts (Article 5.9) and mobile food facilities (Article 5.8). Food carts must comply with DPH health permits, fire safety requirements, and Public Works siting rules.

Also covered: Vendor Permits (moderate), Vending Zones (moderate). See the full street vending guide for San Francisco for details.

Earthquake Safety

Soft-Story Retrofit: San Francisco's Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Program (Ordinance 66-13, signed April 2013) requires seismic strengthening of wood-frame soft-story buildings with 5+ units built before 1978. All building tiers had compliance deadlines that passed by September 2021.

Also covered: Seismic Gas Shutoff (moderate), Unreinforced Masonry (strict), Foundation Anchoring (moderate). See the full earthquake safety guide for San Francisco for details.

HOA Rules

Board Procedures: California HOA board meetings are governed by the Davis-Stirling Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955). All board meetings must be open to members with at least 4 days advance notice for regular meetings and 2 days for executive sessions.

Also covered: Architectural Review (moderate), Assessment & Dues (strict), Dispute Resolution (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Special Events & Permits

Block Party Permits: San Francisco requires a Neighborhood Block Party Street Closure Application through SFMTA for any residential street closure. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance.

Also covered: Park Event Permits (moderate), Sidewalk Cafe Rules (moderate). See the full special events & permits guide for San Francisco for details.

Filming & Production

Location Permits: All commercial film, video, and photo production in San Francisco requires a permit from Film SF, part of the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Applications must be submitted at least 4 business days before the shoot.

Also covered: Production Noise (moderate), Street Closures (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for San Francisco for details.

Code Violation Reporting

Common Violations: San Francisco's most common code violations include unpermitted construction, illegal unit conversions, tenant harassment through construction, substandard housing conditions, and work beyond permit scope. DBI enforces the SF Building Code and Housing Code..

Also covered: Response Times (moderate), How to Report (moderate). See the full code violation reporting guide for San Francisco for details.

Privacy & Surveillance

Recording & Consent Laws: California is a two-party (all-party) consent state. Recording private conversations without all parties' consent is a criminal offense under CA Penal Code §632.

Also covered: Security Camera Rules (moderate), Privacy Screening (moderate). See the full privacy & surveillance guide for San Francisco for details.

Permit Requirements

Shed & Outbuilding Permits: San Francisco requires permits for most accessory structures including sheds. The 120 sq ft exemption common in other cities is more limited in SF.

Also covered: Fence Permits (moderate), Deck & Patio Permits (strict), Renovation Permits (strict). See the full permit requirements guide for San Francisco for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: San Francisco Planning Code establishes height limits for every parcel in the city through zoning height and bulk districts. Heights range from 26 feet in RH-1(S) single-family areas to over 400 feet in parts of downtown and South of Market..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (strict), Setback Rules (strict). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for San Francisco for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: San Francisco regulates door-to-door solicitation under the Police Code. Commercial solicitors must comply with registration and identification requirements.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for San Francisco for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: San Francisco's Better Roofs Ordinance (Planning Code §427) requires new construction of 10+ stories or less to devote at least 15% of roof area to solar panels, living roofs, or a combination. A building permit from DBI is required for all solar panel installations..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for San Francisco for details.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to San Francisco, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with San Francisco's city hall or code enforcement office.