Bulletin 2026-03: Permit Amendments

Section 1608 of the San Francisco Police Code (SFPC) provides guidance on when Cannabis Businesses must seek and obtain permit amendments. Changes affecting ownership, including when a Person newly reaches an aggregate 20 percent ownership or when there is a change in the direction, control, or management of the Permittee, require immediate written disclosure to the Director and submission of a permit amendment request. Section 1608 also outlines the filing requirements and the review process for permit amendments.

Examples of Changes that Require Permit Amendments

• Changes to the entity name or changes to the Trade Name;
• Certain Ownership transfers;
• Changes in direction, control, and management of the Permittee;
• Among other things enumerated in Section 1609 of SFPC, changes to the Good Neighbor Policy, Operation Plan, including Security Plan, Premises Diagram, etc.
• Increasing a Verified Equity Applicant’s ownership to a majority ownership interest;
• Expansions of cannabis business activities as accessory uses (e.g., adding delivery, distribution); permit portability

Examples of Changes that Require Immediate Disclosure

• Corporate structure modifications;
• Entity-type conversions;
• Litigation that may affect control over the Permittee such as bankruptcy or receivership

Legal Authority & Enforcement

Sections 1608, 1609, and 1615 of the SFPC together provide a framework for the permit amendment process.

Requests for permit amendments must include updated application materials. For example, documentation for changes to the ownership structure, which includes background checks for new Owners, proposed changes to the Operation Plans, or changes to the entity name/Trade Name.

The Director will review amendment requests under the same standards applied to initial permits pursuant to Section 1615.

Required Documentation

Applicants must submit:

• Notification and Request Form and supporting documentation.

Supporting documentation includes, but is not limited to:

• Updated organizational and ownership disclosures
• Certified formation or amendment documents
• Revised corporate governance documents
• Secretary of State filings
• Proposed updated Premises Diagram
• Proof of delivery vehicle insurance

Processing Fees

• Initial Filing Fee: $232 which is $116 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Please note the processing fee increased from $113 per hour to $116 per hour on July 1, 2026, and that they will adjust every subsequent year based on the Consumer Price Index.
• Courtesy Consultation: Each applicant is granted up to two hours of free consultation prior to the submission of the permit amendment request.
• Additional processing fees will be determined only on the actual number of hours of staff time required to finalize the proposed transaction and billed at $116 an hour.
• Billing Methodology: Fees are billed at 100% of actual staff time up to 8 hours. Additional hours will be billed at 50% of staff time. The OOC will issue a final invoice. Once the invoice is paid, the OOC will then provide its formal determination.

The initial filing fee must be paid at the time of submission. Please note that background checks for new Owners or inspections required by City partner agencies (e.g., San Francisco Fire Department) will incur additional processing fees, which are assessed and collected by the respective agencies.

Prepare and Submit

Assemble all required documentation and payment via email or in person. To submit a request in person, please make an appointment with your assigned analyst.

45 Day Compliance Window

In accordance with Police Code Sections 1608(c)(4) and 1615(a), if OOC requests additional information to evaluate the amendment request, the Permittee has 45 days to provide the requested materials. Failure to respond within the 45 days authorizes the Director to proceed with the review or determination on the request for a permit amendment, including denial under the standards set forth in Section 1615.

Departmental Review
OOC will verify completeness, compliance, and applicable fees. Follow-up may occur for missing items or clarifications.

Approval
Applicants will receive written notification of approval or denial. Approved amendments may lead to amended permits or certificates. Ownership, management, or corporate changes may trigger further background checks for new Owner(s). Denied amendments may require the applicant to reverse any changes made to the Permittee without regulatory approval and to resubmit another permit amendment request.

Effective Date
August 1, 2026