Commission backs temporary protections for laundromats, requiring conditional use review for three years

The Planning Commission unanimously approved interim protections for laundromats, establishing a temporary three‑year requirement that changes of use or demolition of laundromats receive conditional use authorization.

Planning staff and Mr. Lee Hepner (sponsor representative for Supervisor Peskin) told commissioners the proposal grew out of research showing a one‑in‑three net decline in laundromat businesses in San Francisco since 2013 and testimony from seniors and people with disabilities who rely on nearby laundromats. Mr. Hepner said laundromats are “community‑serving businesses” concentrated in denser, lower‑income neighborhoods and that their loss has significant equity implications.

Key elements adopted by the commission include re‑establishing laundromats as their own land‑use definition (requiring washing as part of the service), a temporary three‑year conditional use requirement for change of use or demolition, and protections in the local ADU program that require replacement of on‑site laundry capacity where ADUs are proposed. Staff proposed clarifying findings and a definition of “immediate vicinity” as one‑quarter mile for assessment purposes.

Commissioners and advocates discussed longer‑term strategies — such as municipal laundromats, utility rate credits, or bankable incentives — while acknowledging the three‑year measure is an interim tool to create scrutiny and public review. The measure passed 6–0 with staff modifications.