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Contents
THE SAN FRANCISCO CODES
PREFACE TO THE 1996 CHARTER
ARTICLE I: EXISTENCE AND POWERS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY
SEC. 1.100. NAME AND BOUNDARIES.
SEC. 1.101. RIGHTS AND POWERS.
ARTICLE II: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
SEC. 2.100. COMPOSITION AND SALARY.
SEC. 2.101. TERM OF OFFICE.
SEC. 2.103. MEETINGS.
SEC. 2.104. QUORUM.
SEC. 2.105. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
SEC. 2.106. VETO OVERRIDE.
SEC. 2.107. EMERGENCY ORDINANCES.
SEC. 2.108. PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW.
SEC. 2.109. RATES, FEES AND SIMILAR CHARGES.
SEC. 2.112. FIDELITY BONDS.
SEC. 2.113. LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE.
SEC. 2.114. NON-INTERFERENCE IN ADMINISTRATION.
SEC. 2.115. FINANCIAL AUDIT.
SEC. 2.116. PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
SEC. 2.117. OFFICES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
ARTICLE III: EXECUTIVE BRANCH - OFFICE OF MAYOR
SEC. 3.100. POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
SEC. 3.101. TERM OF OFFICE.
SEC. 3.102. ABSENCE FROM STATE OR TEMPORARY DISABILITY.
SEC. 3.103. VETO POWER.
SEC. 3.104. CITY ADMINISTRATOR.
SEC. 3.105. CONTROLLER; CITY SERVICES AUDITOR; INSPECTOR GENERAL.
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE BRANCH - BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND DEPARTMENTS
SEC. 4.100. GENERAL.
SEC. 4.100.1. COMMISSION STREAMLINING TASK FORCE.
SEC. 4.101. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - COMPOSITION
SEC. 4.101.1. PROHIBITION ON BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS SEEKING ELECTIVE OFFICE.
SEC. 4.101.5. HOLD-OVER SERVICE BY BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS.
SEC. 4.102. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - POWERS AND DUTIES.
SEC. 4.103. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - ANNUAL REPORT.
SEC. 4.104. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - RULES AND REGULATIONS.
SEC. 4.105. PLANNING COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.106. BOARD OF APPEALS.
SEC. 4.107. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.108. FIRE COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.109. POLICE COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.110. HEALTH COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.111. HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.112. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.113. RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.114. PORT COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.115. AIRPORT COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.117. ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.118. COMMISSION ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
SEC. 4.119. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.
SEC. 4.120. DISABILITY AND AGING SERVICES COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.121. BUILDING INSPECTION COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.122. YOUTH COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.123. YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP; APPOINTMENT; TERMS; MEETINGS; COMPENSATION; DIRECTOR.
SEC. 4.124. YOUTH COMMISSION - PURPOSE AND DUTIES.
SEC. 4.125. JURISDICTION.
SEC. 4.126. DEPARTMENTS - GENERAL PROVISIONS.
SEC. 4.127. POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 4.128. FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 4.129. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
SEC. 4.131. COUNTY CLERK.
SEC. 4.132. EXECUTIVE BRANCH REORGANIZATION.
SEC. 4.133. HOMELESSNESS OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.134. SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.135. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.136. DEPARTMENT OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
SEC. 4.137. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT.
SEC. 4.139. SANITATION AND STREETS COMMISSION.
SEC. 4.140. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
SEC. 4.141. PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION.
ARTICLE VI: OTHER ELECTIVE OFFICERS
SEC. 6.100. DESIGNATION OF OTHER ELECTIVE OFFICERS.
SEC. 6.101. ASSESSOR-RECORDER.
SEC. 6.102. CITY ATTORNEY.
SEC. 6.103. DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
SEC. 6.104. PUBLIC DEFENDER.
SEC. 6.105. SHERIFF.
SEC. 6.106. TREASURER.
ARTICLE VII: JUDICIAL BRANCH
SEC. 7.100. SUPERIOR AND MUNICIPAL COURTS.
SEC. 7.101. ADULT PROBATION.
SEC. 7.102. JUVENILE PROBATION.
ARTICLE VIII: EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES
SEC. 8.100. UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SEC. 8.101. GOVERNING BOARD OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT.
SEC. 8.102. PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
SEC. 8.103. LAW LIBRARY.
ARTICLE IX: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 9.100. BUDGET PROCESS ORDINANCES.
SEC. 9.101. PROPOSED BIENNIAL AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGETS.
SEC. 9.102. CONTROLLER'S OPINION ON REVENUE ESTIMATES.
SEC. 9.103. ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATION ORDINANCES.
SEC. 9.104. VETO OF APPROPRIATIONS.
SEC. 9.105. MODIFICATIONS.
SEC. 9.106. GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
SEC. 9.107. REVENUE BONDS.
SEC. 9.108. LEASE FINANCING.
SEC. 9.109. REFUNDING BONDS.
SEC. 9.110. BOND ELECTION BY INITIATIVE.
SEC. 9.111. GENERAL AUTHORITY.
SEC. 9.112. REVENUE BONDS OF THE PORT COMMISSION.
SEC. 9.113. GENERAL FISCAL PROVISIONS.
SEC. 9.113.5. RAINY DAY RESERVES.
SEC. 9.114. MISSION-DRIVEN BUDGET.
SEC. 9.115. DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET COMMITMENTS.
SEC. 9.116. DEPARTMENTAL SAVINGS AND REVENUE GAINS.
SEC. 9.117. ESTABLISHMENT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
SEC. 9.118. CONTRACT AND LEASE LIMITATIONS.
SEC. 9.119. FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN.
SEC. 9.120. FINANCIAL POLICIES.
ARTICLE X: PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 10.100. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
SEC. 10.101. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.
SEC. 10.102. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
SEC. 10.103. HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.
SEC. 10.104. EXCLUSIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENT.
SEC. 10.105. PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS.
ARTICLE XIII: ELECTIONS
SEC. 13.100. CITY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS.
SEC. 13.101. TERMS OF ELECTIVE OFFICE.
SEC. 13.101.5. VACANCIES.
SEC. 13.102. INSTANT RUNOFF ELECTIONS.
SEC. 13.103. SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
SEC. 13.103.5. ELECTIONS COMMISSION.
SEC. 13.104. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS.
SEC. 13.104.5. USE OF OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS.
SEC. 13.105. NOMINATION.
SEC. 13.106. QUALIFICATION.
SEC. 13.107. ELECTION MATERIAL MAILED TO VOTERS.
SEC. 13.107.5. POSTING OF BALLOT COUNTS AT POLLS.
SEC. 13.108. DETERMINATION OF ELECTION RESULTS.
SEC. 13.109. FILING FEES.
SEC. 13.110. ELECTION OF SUPERVISORS.
SEC. 13.111. ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION.
ARTICLE XIV: INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
SEC. 14.100. GENERAL.
SEC. 14.101. INITIATIVES.
SEC. 14.102. LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM.
SEC. 14.103. RECALL.
SEC. 14.104. PETITIONS - WITHDRAWAL OF SIGNATURES.
ARTICLE XVI: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 16.101. ACQUISITION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.
SEC. 16.103. UTILITY REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.
SEC. 16.104. AIRPORT REVENUE FUND.
SEC. 16.105. CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
SEC. 16.106. CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL APPROPRIATIONS.
SEC. 16.107. PARK, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE FUND.
SEC. 16.108. CHILDREN AND YOUTH FUND.
SEC. 16.108-1. CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
SEC. 16.109. LIBRARY PRESERVATION FUND.
SEC. 16.110. HOUSING TRUST FUND.
SEC. 16.111. FRANCHISES.
SEC. 16.112. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION; PUBLIC NOTICES, HEARINGS AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
SEC. 16.113. SEVERABILITY.
SEC. 16.114. POWERS OF INQUIRY AND REVIEW.
SEC. 16.115. HEADING AND CAPTIONS.
SEC. 16.116. APPENDIX A - EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS.
SEC. 16.117. APPENDIX B - PORT AGREEMENTS.
SEC. 16.118. APPENDIX C - ETHICS PROVISIONS.
SEC. 16.119. APPENDIX D - BUILDING INSPECTION PROVISIONS.
SEC. 16.120. CUSTOMER SERVICE PLAN.
SEC. 16.122. RIGHT TO VOTE ON ANY PROJECT THAT WOULD PLACE 100 ACRES OR MORE OF FILL IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY.
SEC. 16.123. CIVILIAN POSITIONS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 16.123-1. PUBLIC EDUCATION ENRICHMENT FUND; PREAMBLE.
SEC. 16.123-2. PUBLIC EDUCATION ENRICHMENT FUND.
SEC. 16.123-3. ARTS, MUSIC, SPORTS, AND LIBRARY PROGRAMS.
SEC. 16.123-4. UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO EARLY EDUCATION.
SEC. 16.123-5. DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SEC. 16.123-6. EXPENDITURE PLANS.
SEC. 16.123-8. ADJUSTMENTS.
SEC. 16.123-9. STATE REDISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL EDUCATION REVENUES.
SEC. 16.123-10. SUNSET.
SEC. 16.124. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AUTHORIZED TO RESPOND TO CERTAIN ORDERS OR REQUESTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CITY RECORDS.
SEC. 16.125. DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP.
SEC. 16.127-1. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES INITIATIVE AND COUNCIL; PREAMBLE.
SEC. 16.127-2. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES COUNCIL; CREATION.
SEC. 16.127-3. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES COUNCIL; PURPOSE.
SEC. 16.127-4. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES COUNCIL; COMPOSITION.
SEC. 16.127-5. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES COUNCIL; RESPONSIBILITIES.
SEC. 16.127-6. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES COUNCIL; STAFFING.
SEC. 16.127-7. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES COUNCIL; IMPLEMENTATION.
SEC. 16.127-8. ROLE OF THE OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES INITIATIVE.
SEC. 16.127-9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES INITIATIVE.
SEC. 16.127.10. BUDGET REVIEW PROCESS.1
SEC. 16.127-11. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES INITIATIVE; GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.
SEC. 16.127-12. TRANSFER OF DUTIES TO INITIATIVE.
SEC. 16.128-1. DIGNITY FUND; PREAMBLE.
SEC. 16.128-2. GOALS OF THE DIGNITY FUND.
SEC. 16.128-3. ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND.
SEC. 16.128-4. ELIGIBLE SERVICES.
SEC. 16.128-5. EXCLUDED SERVICES.
SEC. 16.128-6. PLANNING CYCLE.
SEC. 16.128-7. EVALUATION.
SEC. 16.128-8. SELECTION OF CONTRACTORS.
SEC. 16.128-9. IMPLEMENTATION.
SEC. 16.128-10. EFFECT OF PROCEDURAL ERRORS.
SEC. 16.128-11. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
SEC. 16.128-12. SUNSET.
SEC. 16.128-13. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
SEC. 16.129. STREET TREE MAINTENANCE.
SEC. 16.130. PRIVACY FIRST POLICY.
SEC. 16.131. STUDENT SUCCESS FUND.
SEC. 16.132. AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY FUND FOR SENIORS, FAMILIES, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
SEC. 16.133. DISCRETIONARY APPROPRIATIONS TO THE SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT; DATA SHARING AGREEMENT.
ARTICLE XVIII: TRANSITION PROVISIONS
SEC. 18.100. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE XVIII.
SEC. 18.101. OPERATIVE DATE OF THIS CHARTER; EFFECT OF ENACTMENT ON EXISTING LAW.
SEC. 18.102. OBLIGATIONS OF CONTRACT NOT IMPAIRED.
SEC. 18.103. TRANSFER OF 1932 CHARTER SECTIONS TO ORDINANCE AND INITIATIVE ORDINANCES.
SEC. 18.104. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES.
SEC. 18.105. CHANGES IN OFFICES AND POSITIONS.
SEC. 18.106. OFFICIAL FIDELITY BONDS.
SEC. 18.107. RULES, REGULATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
SEC. 18.108. STATUS OF INCUMBENT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
SEC. 18.109. EXEMPT POSITIONS.
SEC. 18.110. PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS.
SEC. 18.111. ASIAN ART MUSEUM STATUS.
SEC. 18.112. PREPARATION AND INDEXING OF THIS CHARTER.
SEC. 18.113. MISSION-DRIVEN BUDGET PHASE-IN.
SEC. 18.114. COMMISSION TERMS.
SEC. 18.115. DELETION OF ORDINANCES REGULATING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND TRANSFER OF CHARTER SECTIONS REGULATING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST INTO THE CAMPAIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL CONDUCT CODE.
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE VIIIA: THE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY
SEC. 8A.100. PREAMBLE.
SEC. 8A.101. MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY.
SEC. 8A.102. GOVERNANCE AND DUTIES.
SEC. 8A.103. SERVICE STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
SEC. 8A.104. PERSONNEL AND MERIT SYSTEM.
SEC. 8A.105. MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION FUND.
SEC. 8A.106. BUDGET.
SEC. 8A.107. MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION QUALITY REVIEW.
SEC. 8A.108. FARE CHANGES AND ROUTE ABANDONMENTS.
SEC. 8A.109. ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF REVENUE.
SEC. 8A.110. PLANNING AND ZONING.
SEC. 8A.111. CITIZENS' ADVISORY COUNCIL.
SEC. 8A.112. PARKING AND TRAFFIC
SEC. 8A.113. PARKING AND TRAFFIC; GOVERNANCE.
SEC. 8A.114. CABLE CARS.
SEC. 8A.115. TRANSIT-FIRST POLICY.
ARTICLE VIIIB: PUBLIC UTILITIES
SEC. 8B.120. PREAMBLE.
SEC. 8B.121. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
SEC. 8B.122. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES RELATED TO WATER AND CLEAN WATER.
SEC. 8B.123. PLANNING AND REPORTING.
SEC. 8B.124. WATER, CLEAN WATER, AND POWER REVENUE BONDS.
SEC. 8B.125. RATES.
SEC. 8B.126. PERSONNEL AND MERIT SYSTEM.
SEC. 8B.127. CONTRACTING AND PURCHASING.
CHARTER APPENDICES