SF Cuts Red Tape for Block Parties and Farmers Markets

Mayor Daniel Lurie signed legislation at the Castro Farmers Market that will let the vast majority of San Francisco's neighborhood event organizers skip a formal public hearing and get permits faster. The new law — passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors — is the latest move in the city's broader Permit SF push to streamline bureaucracy across departments.

• 80–90% of special event applicants can now bypass formal ISCOT hearings under a new streamlined administrative review
• Legislation passed unanimously at the Board of Supervisors, co-sponsored by Board President Rafael Mandelman and Supervisor Alan Wong
• Community organizers and downtown advocates praise the reform as a catalyst for more block parties, farmers markets and cultural activations citywide

The basics: San Francisco's Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation — known as ISCOT — reviews every special event permit in the city. Until now, a one-block street fair and a multi-day festival shutting down Market Street went through the same formal public hearing process. ISCOT issued 533 special event permits last year.