San Francisco County Municipal Code Art. 13 Implementation of Charter Section 16.107

Sec. 13.02. Planning and Accountability.

(Added by Ord. 118-00, File No. 000478, App. 6/2/2000; amended by Ord. 140-23, File No. 230482, App. 7/20/2023, Eff. 8/20/2023; Ord. 194-23, File No. 230809, App. 9/15/2023, Eff. 10/16/2023; amended and redesignated as Administrative Code Sec. 5.32-1 by Ord. 99-26, File No. 260217, App. 5/29/2026, Eff. 6/29/2026)

(a) Strategic Plan. With input from the Park, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Council (“Council”), the Department shall prepare, for Commission consideration and approval, a five-year Strategic Plan, to be updated annually, that establishes or reaffirms the mission, vision, goals and objectives for the Department. The Department shall consider using an independent planning consultant to assist with preparation of the Strategic Plan. (b) Capital Plan. With input from the Council, the Department shall prepare, for Commission consideration and approval, a five-year Capital Plan, to be updated annually, for the development, renovation, replacement and maintenance of capital assets, and the acquisition of real property. In its Capital Plan the Department shall propose specific properties to be acquired for open space, recreation facilities, significant natural areas, and other recreational purposes and shall prioritize capital and maintenance improvements and provide budgets associated with such improvements. In identifying properties for acquisition under the Capital Plan the Department shall consider, among other things, the following criteria, in this order: (1) Acquisition of open space, facilities and other real property in neighborhoods designated as “high need areas” in the “Recreation and Open Space Element” of the City’s General Plan; (2) Acquisition of open space, facilities and other real property in neighborhoods that are experiencing a significant increase in residential population and that have few open space or recreational resources; and (3) Acquisition of significant natural areas that are not otherwise protected from degradation or development. The Department shall make a monthly report to the Commission on the status of all capital projects. (c) Operational Plan. With input from the Council, the Department shall prepare, for Commission consideration and approval, a five-year Operational Plan, to be updated annually, detailing proposed improvements to the Department’s services and responsiveness to customer needs. The annual Operational Plan will serve as a tool for improving the operational efficiency of the Department and will include measurable performance standards for the Department. In developing its performance standards the Department shall consider, among other matters, the following issues: (1) Public safety, which shall include the reduction of environmental and other hazards, safe equipment operations and safe pesticide use; (2) Detailed maintenance work plans for each facility, including preventative maintenance; (3) Arboreal maintenance and reforestation of all parks; (4) Facility and landscape cleanliness, including timely graffiti removal; (5) Availability and cleanliness of restrooms; and (6) Maintenance of park and facility signage, furniture and amenities. (d) Environmental and Design Guidelines. The Commission shall adopt written environmental and design guidelines for new facilities, parks, and open spaces and the renovation or rehabilitation of existing facilities, parks, and open spaces. In developing its guidelines, the Commission shall consider measures that will accomplish the following goals, among others: (1) Maximizing the visual appeal and natural values of the landscape as appropriate; (2) Utilizing low-maintenance, long-lived, water-conserving plant materials where possible without compromising the aesthetic values of sound landscape design and public preferences; (3) Encouraging the use of ecologically-appropriate landscape materials to expand and enhance habitat for wildlife; (4) Providing consistent, attractive and durable furniture, signage, and park amenities; and (5) Incorporating environmentally-efficient building design materials, operation, and maintenance for all new construction and buildings renovation. (Added by Ord. 118-00, File No. 000478, App. 6/2/2000; amended by Ord. 99-26, File No. 260217, App. 5/29/2026, Eff. 6/29/2026)

(Added by Ord. 118-00, File No. 000478, App. 6/2/2000; repealed by Ord. 99-26, File No. 260217, App. 5/29/2026, Eff. 6/29/2026)

(Added by Ord. 118-00, File No. 000478, App. 6/2/2000; repealed by Ord. 99-26, File No. 260217, App. 5/29/2026, Eff. 6/29/2026) ARTICLE 14:

INCREASED USAGE OF CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS, WALKING TRAILS, AND ATHLETIC FIELDS ACT

Sec. 14.01. Findings and Declarations. Sec. 14.02. Increasing Playground, Trail and Field Capacity. Sec. 14.03. Liberal Construction. Sec. 14.04. Amendment. Sec. 14.05. Severability.

The People of the City and County of San Francisco (the "City") hereby declare their findings and purposes in enacting this Act to be as follows: (a) The City does not have sufficient playgrounds for children, public trails for walking and hiking, or fields for soccer, baseball, softball and other youth and adult athletics to satisfy the needs of its residents and visitors. (b) Despite the overall shortage of children's playgrounds, public trails and athletic fields, some existing playgrounds, trails and fields are significantly underutilized, but could be improved so that their use is substantially increased throughout the year. (c) Improvements to the City's children's playgrounds, walking trails and athletic fields which have been the subject of a certified Environmental Impact Report should be allowed if they would significantly increase the usage of these sites. (Added by Proposition I, App. 11/4/2014)

(a) In order to increase the usage of children's playgrounds, walking trails and athletic fields by members of the public, notwithstanding any restriction on lighting or requirement for natural grass, the City shall allow renovations to children's playgrounds, walking trails and athletic fields, including but not limited to the installation of artificial turf and/or nighttime lighting on athletic fields, where the renovation satisfies both of the following: (1) The Recreation and Park Department has determined, and an Environmental Impact Report ("EIR") has documented, that the renovation will at least double the usage of the particular children's playground, walking trail or athletic fields by members of the public during a calendar year; and (2) An Environmental Impact Report for the renovation of the particular children's playground, walking trail or athletic field has been certified. (b) The foregoing may be satisfied either before or after the effective date of this Article. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Article shall require or be construed to require completion of an EIR to renovate a children's playground, walking trail or athletic fields, unless an EIR is otherwise required by law. (Added by Proposition I, App. 11/4/2014)

This Article is an exercise of the initiative power of the people of the City and County of San Francisco for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the people, and shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes. (Added by Proposition I, App. 11/4/2014)

This Article may be amended to further its purposes by an ordinance passed by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Supervisors and signed by the Mayor. (Added by Proposition I, App. 11/4/2014)

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the ordinance. The People hereby declare that they would have passed this ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, and word not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any other portion of this ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Added by Proposition I, App. 11/4/2014)