Program Summary
The Planning Department's General Advertising Sign Program is the result of recent legislation amending the Planning Code to improve monitoring and enforcement of regulations related to general advertising signs in San Francisco. The primary goal of the program is to build and maintain an inventory of general advertising signs in the city in order to correct outstanding violations, and to remove all illegal signs.
General Advertising Defined
A sign, legally erected prior to the effective date of Section 611 of this Code, which directs attention to a business, commodity, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which sign is located, or to which it is affixed, and which is sold, offered or conducted on such premises only incidentally if at all (San Francisco Planning Code Section 602.7).
Brief History of General Advertising Sign Regulation
After the 1906 earthquake general advertising signs were regulated inSan Francisco as a structure subject to Building Code requirements concerning public safety issues of structural integrity and potential fire hazards. Over the years additional regulations were added expanding the definition and types of signs to be included in the entitlement process. In the 1950s along with increased use of automobiles, signage became larger, more obtrusive, and more prolific as freeways provided a new lucrative market for advertising. Due to this proliferation, the City began classifying general advertising signs as a land use as well as a structure and began to restrict their location.
In the 1960s the City conducted the first major sign inventory in conjunction with the passage of the San Francisco Sign Ordinance which added Article 6 to the Planning Code. The ordinance prohibited new signs in certain areas, such as near residential districts, near schools, parks, freeways, and scenic streets. It also identified Special Sign Districts where special sign controls were established. Lawfully existing signs were given various amortization periods which began expiring in the 1970s. Additional surveys conducted at this time as well.
The 1980s brought another wave of sign proliferation due to a new method of changing copy using adhesive vinyl on either existing billboard or directly onto a wall. Since the wall signs were not considered structures, they did not require a building permit. The Planning Code was amended (Sec. 604) in 1985 to require a permit for all signs structural or otherwise. In the late 1980s a rezoning study was completed in conjunction with establishing neighborhood commercial (NC) districts and included sign regulations specific to each new NC district. Additionally, mixed use districts were established each with its own sign control regulations.
In the 1990s the dot-com boom and proliferation of live/work lofts provided another opportunity for general advertisers to add signs to the landscape initiating a survey in the South of Market area. New legislation was created in 2001 to offer a stronger enforcement mechanism against illegal general advertising signs and established an enforcement process just for signs.
The most significant development in GA sign regulation came in March of 2002 when voters passed a ballot initiative known as Prop G. Prop G prohibited all new general advertising signs within the borders of San Francisco.
General Advertising Sign Inventory Update Information
General General Advertising Sign Inventory Update Form (PDF)
Planning Commission Resolution 17258 (Sign Legalization Criteria) (PDF)
General Advertising Sign Field Survey
The San Francisco Planning Department has conducted a citywide field survey of all general advertising signs. Utilizing a GIS based program the survey team has mapped the location, dimensions, and other relevant information about signs that were found in the field. The data collected has been utilized to construct a comprehensive inventory of general advertising signs in San Francisco.
Notice of Violation Reconsideration Hearing Forms
Request for Reconsideration Hearing (PDF)
Request of Withdrawal of Request for Reconsideration (PDF)
Request for Hearing Postponement (PDF)
Request for Extention of Open Record (PDF)
GA Sign Program Contacts
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