Charter

CHARTER The Charter was last amended by provisions approved November 3, 2022. See the Comprehensive Ordinance Table for information regarding amendments to other portions of the San Francisco Municipal Code.

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THE SAN FRANCISCO CODES The following San Francisco Codes are published by American Legal: The Municipal Code: Charter Administrative Code Business and Tax Regulations Code Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Environment Code Fire Code Health Code Labor and Employment Code Municipal Elections Code Park Code Planning Code (including Zoning Maps) Police Code Port Code Public Works Code Subdivision Code Transportation Code

Building Inspection Commission Codes: Building Code

Electrical Code Green Building Code Housing Code Mechanical Code Plumbing Code

Comprehensive Ordinance List PREFACE TO THE 1996 CHARTER The Charter of the City and County of San Francisco was adopted on November 7, 1995, and became effective July 1, 1996. This volume contains Charter provisions enacted through the election of November 2016.

Article PREAMBLE I. EXISTENCE AND POWERS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY II. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH III. EXECUTIVE BRANCH—OFFICE OF MAYOR IV. EXECUTIVE BRANCH—BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND DEPARTMENTS V. EXECUTIVE BRANCH—ARTS AND CULTURE VI. OTHER ELECTIVE OFFICERS VII. JUDICIAL BRANCH. VIII. EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES VIIIA. THE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY VIIIB. PUBLIC UTILITIES IX. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS X. PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION XI. EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SYSTEM XII. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND HEALTH SERVICE SYSTEMS XIII. ELECTIONS XIV. INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL XV. ETHICS XVI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS XVII. DEFINITIONS XVIII. TRANSITION PROVISIONS

Appendix

CHARTER APPENDICES A. EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS B. PORT AGREEMENTS C. ETHICS PROVISIONS D. BUILDING INSPECTION PROVISIONS E. SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES F. AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF CITY SERVICES AUDITOR

PREAMBLE In order to obtain the full benefit of home rule granted by the Constitution of the State of California; to improve the quality of urban life; to encourage the participation of all persons and all sectors in the affairs of the City and County; to enable municipal government to meet the needs of the people effectively and efficiently; to provide for accountability and ethics in public service; to foster social harmony and cohesion; and to assure equality of opportunity for every resident:

We, the people of the City and County of San Francisco, ordain and establish this Charter as the fundamental law of the City and County.