San Francisco County Municipal Code § 6.5 Athletic Events

(a) Findings. The increasing number of Athletic Events being held on City streets places a significant burden on the City and its inhabitants. Athletic Events provide entertainment and recreation for San Franciscans and people throughout the Bay Area, as well as promoting and supporting tourism in the City. But closing off several major streets at the same time to accommodate a race often causes hardship in the daily lives of local residents, widespread disruption of public transit service, increased litter on public streets and sidewalks, and potential interference with emergency services. By adopting this Section 6.5, the Board of Supervisors intends to reconcile the City’s interest in promoting Athletic Events with the right of its citizens to the quiet enjoyment of their own neighborhoods. (b) General. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the regulation of Athletic Events as defined in Section 6.2, including the processes for obtaining permits for Athletic Events and the payment of associated fees to the City, shall be governed by this Section 6.5. (c) Designation of Routes. Athletic Events requiring temporary street closings shall be limited in location to routes previously designated as appropriate by the Board of Supervisors. These routes shall be drawn up by ISCOTT and approved by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. In designating these routes, ISCOTT and the Board shall consider the effect of the designation upon: local traffic patterns; MTA routes; the ability of the Police Department and the Department of Public Works to provide special services to the event; the safe and efficient delivery of police, fire and emergency medical services to the affected neighborhoods; the safety of participants in the event; and, the rights of participants, residents and local businesses to the reasonable use and enjoyment of City streets. (d) Application. Any person seeking permission to conduct an Athletic Event shall file an application. The filing of an application and its processing shall be governed by the same processes, application fees, appellate procedures, MTA fees, and other requirements contained in Sections 6.3.1 through 6.3.4. A street closing for an Athletic Event shall be restricted to those routes designated pursuant to this Section 6.5. The applicant may, as part of the application, request a waiver of this restriction. In considering a request for a waiver, the City may take into account the extent to which the event has been held along a particular route prior to the application date if that same route has been in use continuously for a period of three or more years. An applicant’s request for a waiver shall be granted if the Police Department requires a change of route for public safety. (e) Public Notice. (1) Mailed Notice. ISCOTT shall mail a copy of any application for a temporary street closing for an Athletic Event to any community group or neighborhood association that has previously requested in writing to be notified of such applications. (2) Street Notice. (A) If the temporary street closing is approved, the applicant shall cause notices of the event to be conspicuously posted on both sides of the street along the entire route, at not more than 300 feet in distance apart on each street so posted, but not less than three notices on each street forming part of the route. The notices shall be posted at least 72 hours before the scheduled start of the event. The

applicant shall remove the notices within 48 hours after the event, or be liable for the costs of removal by the City pursuant to Article 10 of the San Francisco Police Code. (B) Each notice shall be headed “STREET CLOSED FOR ATHLETIC EVENT” in letters not less than one inch in height, and shall in legible characters (1) briefly describe the event to be held; (2) identify the date and time the event is to take place; and, (3) warn that the street will be closed to traffic at that time. (f) Cost Recovery. (1) Police. (A) Request for Police Services. An application for a temporary street closing for an Athletic Event shall be deemed a request for Police Department services under Sections 10B.1 through 10B.5 of the Administrative Code. The Chief of Police may detail such personnel to police the event in the number and for the period of time the Chief determines to be necessary to perform the services. If the on-site services of two or more police officers are required during the event, the applicant shall be liable for the cost of police services, including field investigation needed to determine manpower requirements, and shall be responsible for indemnifying and holding harmless the City and the police personnel as required by Administrative Code Section 10B.2. (B) Deposit of Estimated Police Costs. Upon approval of a temporary street closure for an Athletic Event, a sum of money which the Chief of Police estimates will be necessary to cover the costs of services pursuant to Administrative Code Section 10B.2 shall be due. No permit for an Athletic Event shall be effective until such sum of money is deposited with the Chief of Police and the applicant presents to the Chief of Police proof of such deposit. The sum of money required pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited at least one week before the scheduled event. If the applicant does not deposit the sum required within the time limit specified, the permit shall be deemed denied, or, if the street closing already has been approved, revoked. (C) Post-Event Police Costs. Within a reasonable time after the event, the Chief of Police shall determine the amount of money necessary to cover the cost of services provided by the Police Department pursuant to Section 10B.2 of the Administrative Code. If the deposit pursuant to Subsection (B) is insufficient to cover the cost of police services, the Chief of Police shall notify the applicant by United States mail to the address listed on the application and the applicant shall have ten days to pay the balance. If the amount deposited exceeds the actual costs, the Chief of Police shall authorize a refund of the excess to the applicant at the address shown on the application. (D) Cancelled Events and Revoked Permits. If the applicant or Sponsor cancels the event after personnel have been assigned to police it and such personnel have begun that duty, the applicant shall be liable for the time expended by police personnel pursuant to Section 10B.2 of the Administrative Code, but in no case for less than two hours per employee. If the temporary street closure is revoked, the money deposited for the costs of police services pursuant to this Section 6.5(f)(1) shall be refunded. (2) Public Works. (A) Request for Public Works Services. An application for a temporary street closing for an Athletic Event shall be deemed a request for Department of Public Works services within the meaning of Sections 10B.11 through 10B.15 of the Administrative Code. The Director of Public Works may detail such personnel to provide street-cleaning and related services for the event in the number and for the period of time the Director of Public Works determines to be necessary to perform the services. The applicant for the temporary street closing shall be liable for the cost of street-cleaning and related services, including field investigation needed to determine manpower requirements, and shall be responsible for indemnifying and holding harmless the City and the Department of Public Works personnel as required by Section 10B.12. (B) Deposit of Estimated Public Works Costs. Upon approval of a temporary street closing for an Athletic Event, a sum of money which the Director of Public Works estimates will be necessary to cover the costs of services pursuant to Section 10B.12 of the Administrative Code shall be due. No approval shall be deemed effective until such sum of money is deposited with the Director of Public Works. The sum of money required pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited at least one week before the scheduled event. If the applicant does not deposit the sum required within the time limit specified, the permit application shall be deemed denied, or, if the permit has already been approved, revoked. The Director of Public Works may waive the advance deposit requirement if the particular event has not required additional street-cleaning or related services for the past three years. The applicant shall, however, remain liable for the costs of any additional services actually required. (C) Post-Event Public Works Costs. Within a reasonable time after the event, the Director of Public Works shall determine the cost of services provided by the Department of Public Works pursuant to Section 10B.12 of the Administrative Code. If the deposit pursuant to subsection (B) is insufficient, the Director of Public Works shall notify the applicant by United States mail to the address listed on the application and the applicant shall have ten days to pay the balance. If the amount deposited exceeds the actual costs, the Director of Public Works shall authorize a refund of the excess to the applicant at the address shown on the application. (D) Cancelled Events and Revoked Permits. If the Board of Supervisors has approved a temporary street closing for an Athletic Event and the applicant cancels the

applicant shall have ten days to pay the balance. If the amount deposited exceeds the actual costs, the Director of Public Works shall authorize a refund of the excess to the applicant at the address shown on the application. (D) Cancelled Events and Revoked Permits. If the Board of Supervisors has approved a temporary street closing for an Athletic Event and the applicant cancels the event after personnel have been assigned to provide street-cleaning and related services to the event and such personnel have begun that duty, the applicant shall be liable for the time expended by Department of Public Works personnel pursuant to Section 10B.12 of the Administrative Code. If a temporary street closing is revoked, the money deposited for the costs of street-cleaning and related services pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall be refunded. (Added by Ord. 121-26, File No. 260449, App. 6/26/2026, Eff. 7/27/2026) (Former Sec. 6.5 amended by Ord. 287-08, File No. 081340, App. 12/5/2008; repealed by Ord. 121-26, File No. 260449, App. 6/26/2026, Eff. 7/27/2026)