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 177 distinct rules across 45 categories. This guide gives you the big picture.

Special Events & Permits

Parade Permits: Anyone sponsoring a parade on a San Francisco street must get a Police Department permit before the event, with applications filed weeks in advance..

Also covered: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (moderate), Parklets (moderate), Street Fair Rules (restrictive). See the full special events & permits guide for San Francisco for details.

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: San Francisco prohibits smoking in every unenclosed City park, square, garden, playing field, recreational pier, and farmers' market, with fines that climb from $100 to $500 for repeat offenses..

Also covered: Public Alcohol Use (restrictive), Public Urination (moderate), Loitering Rules (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for San Francisco for details.

Sign Regulations

Digital Billboards: San Francisco's Planning Code bans digital billboards outright: General Advertising Signs are prohibited in every Commercial, Industrial, and PDR district, and Video Signs -- LED, projected, or animated displays -- are banned even where a sign is otherwise allowed..

Also covered: Freeway-Facing Signs (restrictive), Window Signs (moderate), Political Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Parking Rules

Towing & Impound Rights: San Francisco's Transportation Code sets no dollar tow charge on its face. Division II, Section 305 makes the SFMTA bill the owner, agent or renter under Vehicle Code Section 22850.5, cuts the administrative fee by $50 on a first tow, and creates a Low Income Tow Fee plus a one-time waiver for people certified as experiencing homelessness, while the actual amounts live in the SFMTA Fee and Fine Schedule adopted by board resolution and indexed every July 1..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Loading Zones (moderate), EV Charging (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Privacy & Surveillance

Facial Recognition Ban: San Francisco bars every City Department, including the Police Department, from obtaining, retaining, accessing, or using Face Recognition Technology on City-issued software or devices, and from using any information that such technology produces..

Also covered: License Plate Readers (restrictive), Security Camera Rules (moderate), Recording & Consent Laws (moderate). See the full privacy & surveillance guide for San Francisco for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Vacancy Tax: San Francisco's Vacancy Tax, in Business and Tax Regulations Code Article 29, reaches ground-floor commercial space in Named Neighborhood Commercial Districts that stays vacant more than 182 days in a tax year. The annual bill runs from $250 to $1,000 per linear foot of storefront frontage, and it climbs the longer the space stands empty..

Also covered: Parking Tax (moderate), Business Tax Classification (moderate). See the full local taxes & fees guide for San Francisco for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: A Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment cannot open in San Francisco without Conditional Use authorization, and Planning Code Section 303(m) makes the Planning Commission first find that the district's concentration of such stores feeds no drug, crime, or safety problems..

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

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: San Francisco writes its cannabis location rules into Planning Code Sec. 202.2(a)(5).

Also covered: Buffer Zones (moderate), Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Public Health Rules

Restaurant Grade Cards: San Francisco restaurants must post a color-coded Pass, Conditional Pass, or Closed placard from every routine health inspection where patrons can see it..

Also covered: Bed-Bug Rules (permissive), Rodent Control (moderate), Food Handler Certification (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: San Francisco bans the sale and use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers under Health Code Article 29 and aligns with California AB 1346, which phased out small off-road gasoline engines beginning in 2024..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for San Francisco for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: San Francisco has required just cause for evictions since August 24, 1980. Administrative Code Section 37.9(a) says a landlord shall not endeavor to recover possession of a covered rental unit unless one of its listed grounds exists, so even attempting an eviction without a qualifying reason violates the Rent Ordinance.

Also covered: Source-of-Income Discrimination (moderate), No-Fault Evictions (moderate), AB-1482 Notice Disclosure (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: San Francisco bans firing or discharging any fireworks anywhere in the city and county, with public displays allowed only by joint written consent of the Fire Marshal and Chief of Police..

Also covered: Smoke Detectors (moderate), Outdoor Burning (moderate), Wildfire Zones (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: San Francisco taxes hotel room rent at a combined 14 percent: an 8 percent base transient occupancy tax plus a 6 percent surcharge..

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

Short-Term Rentals

Host Platform Liability: San Francisco holds Hosting Platforms like Airbnb legally responsible for confirming a listing's Registry status, and a platform that books an unregistered unit faces civil penalties and misdemeanor criminal liability under Chapter 41A..

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Insurance Requirements (moderate), Primary-Residence-Only Rule (restrictive). See the full short-term rentals guide for San Francisco for details.

Animal Ordinances

Bird Protection: San Francisco bans trapping, capturing, killing, or destroying any wild bird citywide under Police Code Section 485, with a narrow public-health exception for nuisance pigeons handled by the Health Director..

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (restrictive), Pet Store Rules (restrictive), Pet Limits (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for San Francisco for details.

Home Business

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits: San Francisco allows home-based businesses citywide as an accessory use to a dwelling, capped at one-third of the unit's floor area and two non-resident employees..

Also covered: Home Daycare (permissive). See the full home business guide for San Francisco for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: San Francisco's Health Department declares any inspected dwelling unit with lead hazards a nuisance and can order the owner to remediate within 14 to 30 days..

Also covered: Building Inspections (moderate), Door Locking Hardware (moderate), Fire Sprinkler Requirements (moderate). See the full building safety guide for San Francisco for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: San Francisco can fine illegal dumpers up to $1,000 per day for each violation by administrative citation, on top of separate civil penalties of at least twice the City's cleanup costs..

Also covered: Collection Schedule (moderate), Dumpster Rules (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for San Francisco for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Obstruction Rules: It is unlawful in San Francisco to obstruct or place obstructions on any public sidewalk or right-of-way without Public Works Department permission, and violations are treated as a public nuisance..

Also covered: Encroachment Permits (restrictive), Sidewalk Repair (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Solar Energy

Expedited Solar Permitting: Small residential solar systems of 4 kilowatts or less are issued over the counter in San Francisco once the application is complete, and expedited installations get just one inspection scheduled within three business days..

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

Tree Protection

Parkway Planting: New buildings and major additions in San Francisco must plant street trees at set spacing and size standards along the public right-of-way..

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for San Francisco for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: San Francisco's Building Code bars barbed-wire fencing citywide unless the Building Official and Fire Department grant written permission for narrow hazard-protection uses like guarding a dangerous area atop a tall fence..

Also covered: Fence Permit Requirements (moderate), Height Limits (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for San Francisco for details.

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: San Francisco's Park Code orders the Recreation and Park Department to convert park irrigation to recycled water in designated Recycled Water Use Areas, with a 2013 completion target..

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

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: San Francisco ADUs and JADUs built under Planning Code § 207.2 may be rented under the Rent Ordinance, but the lot generally cannot be subdivided to sell the unit separately..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), ADU Rules (moderate), ADU Impact Fees (limited). See the full accessory structures guide for San Francisco for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending: San Francisco requires a Street Vendor Permit from the Department of Public Works for selling merchandise or prepackaged food from temporary structures on sidewalks. Annual permit fee is $484 plus an $11 Board of Appeals surcharge.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate), Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for San Francisco for details.

Historic Preservation

Historic-Cultural Monuments: San Francisco designates historic landmarks by Board of Supervisors ordinance under Planning Code Article 10, triggering permanent design and demolition controls..

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Tents and similar structures are banned from public sidewalks citywide, but the City must offer housing or shelter and give 24 hours' notice before removal..

Also covered: Sit-Lie Rules (restrictive). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: San Francisco requires a Public Works permit before anyone plants or removes a street tree, with a hearing available if a neighbor objects..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (moderate). See the full landscaping rules 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: Worker Scheduling Preemption (permissive), Paid Leave Preemption (moderate). See the full employment preemption guide for San Francisco for details.

Data Centers & Crypto Mining

Data Center Noise Limits: A data center in San Francisco may not push fixed-equipment noise more than 8 dBA above the ambient at the property plane on commercial or industrial land, under Police Code Section 2909. Inside a nearby home, fixed sources are capped at 45 dBA overnight and 55 dBA daytime..

Also covered: Data Center Zoning & Siting (moderate). See the full data centers & crypto mining guide for San Francisco for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: San Francisco bars minors under 14 from public streets, parks, and places between midnight and 5 a.m. unless an exception applies..

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

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: San Francisco sorts development by impervious surface: Small Development Projects at 2,500 to 5,000 square feet must build Post-Construction Stormwater Controls, and Large Development Projects at 5,000 square feet or more cannot receive any building or site permit until the General Manager approves a Stormwater Control Plan..

Also covered: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (moderate), Flood Elevation Requirements (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

HVAC & Mechanical Noise: San Francisco caps indoor noise from HVAC units and other fixed mechanical equipment at 45 dBA at night and 55 dBA by day inside neighboring dwellings..

Rental Inspections

Inspection Programs: San Francisco requires the Department of Building Inspection to inspect every apartment house and hotel for health and safety at least once every five years, funded by an annual license fee billed on the property tax roll..

Also covered: Tenant Complaint Process (moderate). See the full rental inspections guide for San Francisco for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety 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 (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for San Francisco for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12H declares the city a City and County of Refuge and bars city staff from using city funds to assist federal immigration enforcement..

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: Downtown Design Guide (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for San Francisco for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Flavored Tobacco Bans: San Francisco bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes, at every retail establishment citywide..

Filming & Production

Street Closures: Film productions closing San Francisco streets apply through the Film Commission and ISCOTT under the Transportation Code, with a special exception letting filming crews apply on shorter notice than other events..

Also covered: Location Permits (moderate). See the full filming & production 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..

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: San Francisco treats any blighted vacant lot as a public nuisance. Public Works Code Section 735 makes it unlawful to maintain one, and the Director of Public Works can force a cleanup through the abatement machinery of Administrative Code Chapter 80..

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate), Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for San Francisco for details.

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: California HOA CC&R enforcement is governed by the Davis-Stirling Act. AB 130 (2025) caps fines at $100 per violation.

Also covered: Board Procedures (permissive), Architectural Review (moderate), Assessment & Dues (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for San Francisco for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: San Francisco caps dwelling height at 35 feet in RH-1 districts and 40 feet in RH-2 districts, with slope-based adjustments up or down..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). 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 (limited). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for San Francisco for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: San Francisco requires shielded, minimal outdoor lighting with no uplighting on buildings near Urban Bird Refuges under the Planning Code's bird-safe building standards, aimed at cutting light spill that disorients migrating birds..

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.