On Thursday, San Francisco's Mayor, London Breed, announced about 100 new changes to the city's rules for building and using spaces. These changes will help both new and current businesses do better.
They will make it easier for business owners to grow, change how they work, or even start new businesses by simplifying the process of getting permits.
San Francisco Announces Planning Code Changes, Easing Business Permits
Mayor Breed said these new laws will make many things that were hard before easier. The city is changing 100 rules about building and using spaces, including cutting fees and simplifying permit rules.
"These pieces of legislation are going to make things that were impossible for years to happen in the city possible," said Mayor Breed.
Ben Bleiman from the Entertainment Commission explained that these changes will remove small rules, like those stopping a guitarist from playing in a coffee shop.
The changes also affect music venues. Katy Tang, head of San Francisco's Office of Small Business, shared that bars and restaurants wanting to serve alcohol can get a faster review within 90 days.
In places like Haight Ashbury, restaurants and businesses were limited for many years. It is no longer the case with these new changes, allowing more growth in these areas.
Sunshine Powers, leader of the Haight Ashbury Merchant Association, is excited about the new changes. She said this would let shops offer more variety, like coffee, music, and temporary pop-ups, and test new ideas to see what works best.
These updates build on earlier efforts to help small businesses during the pandemic.
Firm, another business owner, believes these changes will make opening businesses easier, leading to more lively neighborhoods.
San Francisco has already supported businesses with laws like Prop H in 2020 and the Small Business Recovery Act in 2021, speeding up commercial projects. The latest laws will start in 30 days.
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Making it Easier to Start and Grow Business in San Francisco
As San Francisco follows Mayor Breed's Roadmap to San Francisco's Future, everyone - from locals to visitors - is being asked to help small businesses and communities during the holidays.
They aim to cut costs, simplify city rules, and actively help business people. This process will benefit more businesses, encourage them to begin and stay in the downtown area, and bring in a wider variety of business owners.
In recent news, Mayor Breed and city and business leaders are encouraging people to check out San Francisco's great shopping and activities this holiday season. Over the past year, she has talked with community members and small business owners about supporting local shops for the city's economic recovery.
Small businesses make up about 95% of all companies in San Francisco and provide jobs to nearly one million people in the Bay Area.
The holiday season is a chance for everyone to support local shops, enjoy top-notch restaurants, and experience the unique culture of San Francisco. Mayor Breed is hopeful for a great shopping season and urges everyone to support local businesses.
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