Lets San Francisco require permits for some sales

Under existing law, knowingly buying or receiving stolen property or property that has been obtained in any manner constituting theft or extortion, as specified, is punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony if the value of the property exceeds $950. Existing law authorizes a local authority to, by ordinance or resolution, adopt requirements regulating the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vending if the requirements are directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns. Existing law prohibits a local authority from regulating sidewalk vendors, except in accordance with certain provisions.

This bill, until January 1, 2030, would authorize the City and County of San Francisco to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale of specified merchandise on public property without a permit, if the ordinance includes specified written findings, including, among other things, that there has been a significant pattern of merchandise being the subject of retail theft and then appearing for sale on public property within the City and County of San Francisco. The bill would require an ordinance adopted by the City and County of San Francisco to, among other things, identify a local permitting agency that is responsible for administering a permit system. The bill would authorize the ordinance to provide that selling merchandise without a permit is punishable as an infraction, and that subsequent violations after 2 prior convictions is an infraction or a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 6 months. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would require, if an ordinance is adopted, the City and County of San Francisco to submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2029, that includes specified information, including, among other things, the list or lists of merchandise that the City and County of San Francisco determined was a common target of retail theft. The bill would require the City and County of San Francisco to administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of the ordinance, including public announcements in major media outlets and press releases.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the City and County of San Francisco.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.