Previously, during Small Business Month in May, there were waivers of various local permit fees aimed at helping small businesses improve their building facades and storefronts, which included fees for the replacement of awnings, signs on awnings, and installation of pedestrian level lighting. These waivers were contained in an uncodified Section 4 of Ordinance No. 149-16 and in Tables 1A-A and 1A-E of the Building Code.

The ordinance proposes to codify the existing annual waiver of awning replacement fees and awning sign fees applied for during the month of May, and to annually waive fees for Business Signs and new awning installations applied for during the months of May 2023 and May 2024. Additionally, it shifts the waivers in the Planning, Building, and Fire Codes from being keyed to permit issuance in May to permit application in May.

The proposed change would potentially lower the costs for small businesses intending to improve their facilities by waiving certain fees, thereby encouraging facade and storefront enhancements during the designated months.

The ordinance recognizes the importance of small businesses in San Francisco and aims to alleviate certain financial barriers that have limited small business owners from improving their storefronts. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to the communal and economic fabric of the City by promoting small business viability and aesthetic urban improvements.

The ordinance was reviewed and recommended by the Land Use and Transportation Committee and was to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors' meeting for consideration. It has received affirmative votes from all committee members in the review process.

The Planning Department’s determination complies with the California Environmental Quality Act, and the actions contemplated in the ordinance are consistent on balance with the City's General Plan and eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1. These findings have been affirmed and adopted by the Board, establishing a layer of environmental and policy accountability.