Our Priorities

SFMCCF believes in creating a more friendly environment for small businesses. We have supported a variety of reforms, including:

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• PermitSF Reforms: While more reforms are underway, legislation signed in July 2025 has eliminated permit requirements for sidewalk tables, chairs, and merchandise displays to support al fresco dining and storefront vitality.

• 30-Day Streamlined Review: Proposition H and the Small Business Recovery Act allow most principally permitted uses to be streamlined in a 30-day review period.

• Over-the-Counter Approvals: Nearly 5,600 commercial projects have received permits immediately or within two business days through over-the-counter processing.

• Cost Savings: The city simplified permitting by removing architectural drawing requirements for projects involving no new construction, saving businesses an average of $10,000.

 

Small business owners—particularly first-time and immigrant entrepreneurs—often face long approval timelines, overlapping agency requirements, and high compliance costs. These burdens can be especially challenging for minority-owned businesses that may lack access to legal or administrative support. Providing an easier permitting process, multilingual assistance services, and guaranteed processing timelines would significantly reduce barriers to entry. Clearer guidance, digital tracking tools, and fee transparency would also make it easier for small businesses to open, expand, or relocate without unnecessary delays.

Access to affordable capital and stable commercial space is another critical policy priority. Commercial rents in San Francisco are among the highest in the country, and, even with current vacancy rates, minority-owned businesses are disproportionately affected by rising costs and limited financing options. SFMCCF believes San Francisco can help entrepreneurs with expanded city-backed loan guarantees, culturally competent technical assistance, and partnerships with community development financial institutions.

 

In addition, policies that incentivize landlords to offer long-term leases to small businesses, as well as stronger protections against displacement in neighborhood commercial corridors, would help stabilize local enterprises. Longterm objectives include creating small-business rent stabilization programs and strengthening business legacy efforts to ensure that neighborhood storefronts remain accessible to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Public safety and neighborhood conditions directly impact foot traffic and customer confidence. SFMCCF advocates for coordinated city investments in street cleanliness, lighting, and consistent safety presence in commercial districts. Concerns about retail theft, vandalism, and visible street disorder have been frequently cited by small business owners as barriers to growth.

 

We believe in policy platform focused on community-based safety strategies—such as ambassador programs, improved coordination between merchants and city agencies, and rapid-response cleaning services—would help restore vibrancy to commercial corridors. By prioritizing safe and welcoming neighborhood environments, the organization would reinforce the connection between strong small businesses and healthy local communities.