Street Food in San FranciscoPolicies, Pitfalls & Possibilities

First Annual Street Food ConferenceAugust 23, 2010

Bureaucratic Smorgasbord

Police Department

Department of Public Health

Fire Department

Planning Department

Department of Public Works

Municipal Transportation Agency

Two Main Regulatory Tracks

1. Public Property [SFPD Lead Agency] Streets Sidewalks

2. Private Property Typical parcels (e.g. vacant lots, etc) Parkland Plazas

Streets and SidewalksSan Francisco Police Department

1. Proximity to schools

2. Pushcarts can’t move

3. “Like” food restrictions

4. Cart size limits

Private PropertyPlanning Dept. / Dept. of Public Health

Typical Zoning Controlse.g. those that apply to permanent land uses;no special treatment

Context for Street Food Regulation

commercialprotectionism

residential protectionism

street foodbenefits

Commercial Protectionismassumptions

1. street vendors are in competition with bricks-and-mortar restaurants

2. zero benefit to commercial clustering /

no critical mass

commercialprotectionism

residential protectionism

street foodbenefits

Perm anent UseInterm ittent Use

yesno

Prop osed M FF

Subject to Conventional RegulationC, M, PDR Districts: generally permitted OTC

NC, MUD’s: process and permissiveness variesR Districts: not permitted

Required filings and approximate costs:Building Permit ($600)

if required by zoning: CU ($1,400) notification ($500)

Approvable OTC

Required filings and approximate costs:Renewable 1-year ‘temporary use’ permit ($400)

Approvable with Neighborhood Notice

Required filings and approximate costs:3rd party notification materials preparation ($200)

CCSF notice mailing cost ($300)Building Permit ($600)

‘temporary use’ permit ($400; first year fee waived)

Is the zoning district subject to the notification requirements of Section 312?

If the site is zoned NC, MUD, C, M, or PDR:Is a building involved, orIs it on-premises more than 3 days/week, orIs it open beyond any principally permitted hours?

If the site is zoned PIs a building involved, orIs it on-premises more than 6 days/week, orIs it within 50’ of an R District?

Does the MFF:- involve more than 225 square feet of lot area, or - is it located within 50’ of an R District?

when in any other zoning district

yesno

yesno

Draft Proposed RegulationsPrivate Property

over-the-counter approval if:

less than 250 sf per parcel

doesn’t involve a building

on-site 3 days per week or fewer

Draft Proposed RegulationsPrivate Property

More detailed review if:

Multiple vendors on a given parcel

Within 50’ of a residential district

Current controls apply if:

On-site vending for more than 3 days/week

Draft Proposed RegulationsStreets and Sidewalks

1. DPW becomes lead agency; Police no longer have a role

2. “Like” foods to be rationalized

Street Food in San FranciscoPolicies, Pitfalls & Possibilities

Yes, we still make things right here in San Francisco.

SFMade's mission is to build and support a vibrant manufacturingsector in San Francisco that sustains companies producing locallymade products, encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, andcreates employment opportunities for a diverse local workforce.

Kate SofisFounding Executive Director

kate@sfmade.orgwww.sfmade.org

Mobile Vendor Economic Policy

Larry BainLet’s Be Frank

Mobile Vendor Economic Policy

Matt CohenSF Cart Project

Why I Got Into This…

Structural Demands

Where to Locate?

How Much Should a Cart Cost?

Know What This Is?

SF Vendors

Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center

Food Available

Getting Creative; Entrepreneurial Notes

Where From Here?

Places for More Info

• www.sfcartproject.com• www.offthegridsf.com• Follow me at twitter.com/sfcarts• matt@offthegridsf.com