Health Commission adopts refuse collection regulation to prepare for Treasure Island and Yerba Buena residences

The San Francisco Health Commission voted unanimously to adopt a new refuse collection regulation intended to govern licensing and route permits for refuse collectors across the city, including properties on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island as private residences come online.

Veronica Slatengren, principal environmental health inspector with the Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Services, told commissioners the draft regulation implements procedures authorized by the Refuse Collection and Disposal Ordinance of 1932 and reflects public comments submitted after a 30‑day notice period that began in November 2021. Slatengren said the revised rules clarify the showing of need for new permits, prevent issuance of new permits to existing routes absent a director’s finding of inadequate service, and require consultation with other city agencies before approvals.

The regulation adds an open permit application period announced on the department website, a pre‑application question‑and‑answer session and optional pre‑application conference, and a public‑hearing option that may be requested within the evaluation period. Slatengren described shortened processing timelines: license evaluation reduced from a maximum of 40 days to 20 days and the permit decision window shortened from up to 90 days to roughly 50–55 days, with appeal rights to the Board of Appeals after director decisions. She said DPH plans to post license application materials online upon adoption and announce an expected permit application period in late March or early April.

Commissioner Chao asked who may request a public hearing and how a hearing affects overall timing. Slatengren replied that any applicant or member of the public may ask for a hearing; a request must be filed during the evaluation window, and the hearing would be set within 30 days of a valid request, with the director’s final decision due within 30 days after the hearing — which may extend the overall review schedule.

After the presentation, a motion to adopt the regulation was moved and seconded. The commission conducted a roll‑call vote; Commissioners Guillermo, Jurado, Chung, Chao, Green and President Bernal recorded “Yes,” and the 2022 Refuse Collection Regulation was adopted.

With adoption complete, DPH will publish application materials and the schedule for the first open permit period on its SFTPH website and will accept applications and public‑hearing requests under the new process. The regulation does not change the director’s existing authority under earlier 1992 and 1999 refuse collection rules where applicable.