San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance April 23 that would crack down on illegal street vendors in residential districts.
The proposal, sponsored by Supervisor Hillary Ronen and Mayor London Breed, passed on its first reading. It must also win approval on a final-passage vote to become law.
Taking aim at sales of stolen goods, the ordinance would require vendors to show receipts for both new and used items they sell, in addition to registering with the San Francisco Tax Collector.
Illegal street vendors would be given 10 minutes to disperse before their goods are confiscated and they are cited.
The proposed legislation expands the ban on street vending beyond areas like UN Plaza and Mission Street to other parts of San Francisco.
Two indoor vending marketplaces were established by the city to support legitimate street vendors, yet one location experienced insufficient sales, prompting consolidation to La Placita near 20th and Mission Streets, with a total of 20 vendor spaces available.
In November, a 90-day ban on street vending along certain sections of Mission Street was approved. Following improvements in street conditions, the ban was extended for another six months in February.
“The progress in the Mission is evident and a great relief to residents, merchants, and City workers,” said Ms. Breed. “As we continue to partner with our City Departments, community leaders, residents, and business owners to deliver safer and cleaner streets to the neighborhood, we also need to change our state laws around vending.”
The city has also focused on addressing issues in the Mission District, particularly around Mission Street near its BART stations.
“Our work is far from done. With a moratorium extension, we can continue to build on the progress we’ve made while supporting our legitimate street vendors with wraparound services, marketing and workforce training,” Ms. Ronen said. “District 9 residents and small businesses have noted that Mission Street is markedly safer, cleaner and more accessible.”
In an effort to increase nighttime safety, the mayor introduced a measure on April 23 to prohibit some retail establishments selling prepacked food or tobacco products from operating between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. in part of the Tenderloin.
“We stand with all of Mayor Breed’s efforts to restore peace in our neighborhood,” said Khaled Ghaleb, imam of the Tenderloin-based mosque Darussalam. “Our community has long suffered from the consequences of nighttime activities that threaten our safety and well-being.”
Ms. Breed’s comprehensive strategy intends to disrupt open-air drug markets.
“Tenderloin residents, businesses, and workers deserve safe streets not just during the day, but also at night,” she said. “We are working with and listening to the community as we continue our efforts to make the Tenderloin safer for everyone. This is an idea for the community, from the community.”
The proposed law would cover specified areas between O’Farrell and McAllister and from Polk to Jones. It would exclude restaurants, bars, and event halls.
Each hour of operation outside the timeframe would incur an administrative citation, potentially resulting in fines of up to $1,000. Subsequent violations would receive warnings each hour, with no cap on the total fines.
“During daylight hours, there has been great progress with dealing with open-air drug sales and usage,” said Gregg Johnson, a resident of the Tenderloin. “The same cannot be said for evening hours, especially after 10 p.m., and there are pockets in the Tenderloin where stores who operate 24/7 are creating unsafe sidewalks in and around their location.”
The initiative aims to enhance the health and welfare of families and children in the Tenderloin area, with a focus on community well-being rather than penalizing small businesses.
“The Tenderloin is a multilingual mosaic, home to thousands of young people, seniors, single adults, and families who all deserve to feel safe at any hour in their neighborhood,” said Kate Robinson, executive director of the Tenderloin Community Benefit District.
In May 2023, Ms. Breed initiated the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center to combat illegal drug markets in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods.
Collaboration with state and federal partners has resulted in a significant increase in drug dealer arrests and drug seizures.
“San Francisco is making progress in dismantling the pernicious drug markets in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, but we can’t let up,” said SFPD Chief Bill Scott. “This legislation will assist our hard-working officers in their work to hold drug dealers accountable and make the streets safer for everyone.”
