The Board Brief: July 10, 2025
Pipes, Permits, Pop-Ups, and Pickleball
👋 Afternoon, SF! Supervisors advanced a massive water-system bond, erased first-year fees for new small businesses, opened the door for backyard flats to be sold as condos, and trimmed wait times for pop-ups and sidewalk cafés. Read on for the full rundown, plus: updates on pickleball reservations, library funding, and neighborhood clean-ups. Your two-minute City Hall download starts now:
🌆 The Mayor’s Snapshot
This week’s metrics are brought to you by none other than Mayor Lurie’s tweet of the week:
🤡 Overall crime is down 27% citywide from last year, and down 45% around Union Square and the Financial District.
⛺️ Tent encampments are at their lowest levels since before the pandemic
🛌 400 new shelter and treatment beds have come online
🚊 Muni ridership is at its highest level since the pandemic
🏢 Moscone Center convention bookings are up 50%
👩⚖️ The Board Brief
Board Moves Forward on $1.05BB Water Bond: Supervisors gave initial approval to issue $1.05BB in Water Revenue Bonds to replace aging pipes, reinforce the Hetch Hetchy supply, and refinance expensive short-term debt. Supporters say the lower interest costs leave more room in future budgets for basic services. Final approval is set for next week.
Start-Up Fees Waived: New small businesses will not pay permit, license, or registration fees during their first year through June 2026. The change aims to cut thousands of dollars from opening costs and encourage new storefronts.
Backyard Flats Can Be Sold: Owners of ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) may now convert those units into separate condominiums and sell them, creating modestly priced housing and allowing owners to build equity
Faster Permits for Pop-Ups and Cafés
Four ordinances shorten reviews for temporary shops, sidewalk seating, murals, awnings, and event permits, reducing empty storefront time and helping businesses open sooner.Ocean Avenue Services Renewed: The Board approved a 15-year renewal and expansion of the Ocean Avenue Community Benefit District. The district will fund cleaning, safety patrols, and façade improvements along Ingleside’s main street.1
Smaller Updates
Mayor Daniel Lurie reported on cleanup crews, recreational-vehicle triage zones, and a family-oriented rezoning plan during his first Board question period.
Recreation and Park may now charge reservation fees at all pickleball courts, not only those in Golden Gate Park.
The Public Library will receive $1.07MM from its nonprofit partner to expand free programs such as author talks and tech classes.
A $3.4MM Crankstart grant will add attorneys to the Public Defender’s Immigration Defense Unit, giving more residents free legal help.
Supervisors urged UC Health and Blue Shield to resolve a billing dispute before patients lose coverage.
🗺️ Neighborhood Scoops
Ocean Avenue (Ingleside): Community Benefit District renewal unlocks $435K in annual cleaning and security services.
Bayview: Supervisors call for a relief fund to cushion Third Street shops hit by the Islais Creek bridge replacement detour. Meeting Minutes Aug 25
Golden Gate Park: Paid parking is coming back - SFMTA now has the green light to set rates inside the park’s borders. Meeting Minutes Aug 25
Treasure Island: A $9.9MM state grant funds a new substance-use recovery site on the island’s eastern edge. Meeting Minutes Aug 25
🧑🏻💻 Make your voice heard
Remember, if you want to issue a comment on an upcoming piece of legislation, email Board.of.Supervisors@sfgov.org with the meeting date, agenda item number, your name, and a brief comment by noon on hearing day (Tuesday). Your two minutes can move millions.
That’s all for now, folks! If you have feedback on the newsletter, reach out on Substack or Twitter.
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July 8 Board Agenda: https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/bag070825_minutes.pdf
no permit, license, or registration fees is such a W to get more people opening shops again