San Francisco Creates New Entertainment Zones on Valencia Street, Pier 39, Folsom and Ellis Streets, and Yerba Buena Lane

• When: 2025/05/06
• Address: Valencia Street between 16th St and 21st St; Pier 39 waterfront between Embarcadero, Kearny, Powell and shoreline; Folsom Street between 7th and 8th St, Hallam and Langton Streets; Ellis Street between Stockton and Powell; Yerba Buena Lane between Market and Mission and northern side of Mission between Yerba Buena and 3rd Street
• City: San Francisco
• State: CA
• Category: Land Use Planning
• Subcategory: Definitions update
• Asset Class: Land
• Property Type: Placemaking
• Size: Multiple street segments and public rights-of-way

This ordinance amends the San Francisco Administrative Code to establish five new Entertainment Zones: the Valencia Street Zone between 16th and 21st Streets; the Pier 39 Zone encompassing the Pier 39 waterfront and adjacent rights-of-way; the Folsom Street Zone covering Folsom, Hallam and Langton Streets between specified blocks; the Ellis Street Zone between Stockton and Powell Streets; and the Yerba Buena Lane Downtown Activation Location including Jessie Square. It designates public streets, sidewalks, and adjacent licensed premises within these areas as Entertainment Zones under state Business and Professions Code Sections 23039.5 and 25690, authorizing outdoor event-based activities and the sale and consumption of open alcoholic beverages during events without requiring separate street-use permits for non-street closures. The ordinance also affirms CEQA compliance, clarifies that Port of San Francisco controls govern the Pier 39 Zone, and integrates these locations as Downtown Activation Locations under Administrative Code Chapter 94D.

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