Commission codifies and expands May fee‑waiver for small business awnings and signs

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend codifying and expanding San Francisco’s May fee‑waiver program for small businesses. The ordinance, introduced by Supervisor and Garcetti's legislative aide and staff, would embed the awning fee‑waiver in the planning, building and fire codes, expand eligibility to new awning installations and to signs applied for during May (retroactive to May 1) and clarify refund processing.

Staff emphasized that the program began as a pilot and is intended to be straightforward: waivers apply to permits submitted in May for awning replacements, awning signs and pedestrian‑level lighting. Commissioners asked how the city will publicize the program and whether adding signs to the waiver will materially increase staff workload. Planning staff said estimates were conservative and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Office of Small Business will amplify outreach.

Commissioners approved staff’s amendments to expand the waiver to signs and to correct clerical citations; the motion passed unanimously.