César Chávez Street Renaming

The City is considering a new name for Cesar Chavez Street. Nothing changes yet. This page explains what is proposed, when it could happen, and what it means for you.

Reason for the renaming

Concerns about the legacy of the late Cesar Chavez have prompted discussion about the street’s name. A community-led working group is supporting the renaming effort.

Who is leading the effort

A community working group is leading it. Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres and former Supervisor Susan Leal co-chair the group.

How the names were chosen

After several months of discussion, the working group set four guiding criteria for a new name:

• Women’s leadership and survivors’ experiences
• The labor and farmworker movement
• Latino heritage and immigrant contributions
• Honoring the movement over any individual

Names under consideration

The group has advanced two names for public input:

• Sí Se Puede
• Las Campesinas

It also discussed “Huelga,” “La Raza,” “Dahlia,” “Blossom,” and "Dolores Huerta." It moved toward collective names that reflect the many people who built the movement.

The process is still open. Tell us what you think.

Number of people affected

There is an estimated number of 3,000 residences and several businesses.

When the change would happen

The change would not happen right away. The Board of Supervisors will have to consider legislation to approve a new street name. There is not a date set at this time for a public hearing at this time.

The City will announce an effective date well before any address changes are required.

Your address

Your address will change if your home fronts Cesar Chavez Street. Once the ordinance is approved and takes effect, the street name changes. Your house or unit number stays the same.

Your mail

You will still get your mail. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will work with the U.S. Postal Service to update delivery and mapping systems. Mail sent to the old street name will still be delivered during a transition period. USPS will confirm how long that lasts once the ordinance is final.

Driver’s license and other IDs

You do not need to update these right away. Once the new name is official, update your address with the DMV, your bank, your insurance company, and other providers, as you would for any address change. The City will provide a checklist of agencies to notify.

Utilities, subscriptions, and online accounts

You are responsible for updating these. The City can update municipal and postal records. You must update private accounts such as utilities, streaming and delivery services, and online orders.

Business license and permits

No action is needed from you. The City is working to update your business license and City permits administratively, at no cost to you.

Storefront signs

You only need to update your sign if it shows your street address. If it does, you can update it on your own schedule. The City has set no mandate or deadline.

Street signs and other physical changes

The City pays. No cost is passed on to residents or property owners. The City estimates about $50,000 for new street signage and about $67,000 for related sidewalk work.

State-maintained signs

State-maintained signs will be affected. The City is working with Caltrans on costs and timelines for any state-maintained signs.

Cesar Chavez Elementary

The school is not changing its name at this time.

Any renaming of the school is a separate San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) process. It has its own decision-making body, and its timeline has not been set.

Sharing your feedback

Use the online feedback form. If your home or business fronts the street, you will also get a mailed request from DPW asking for your thoughts on the proposed names.

Getting updates

• By mail: If your home or business fronts the street, DPW will send you updates.
• From your local representative: Subscribe to the newsletter of your representative on the Board of Supervisors.
• By email: Contact the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs at moca@sfgov.org.

Questions about your address or permits

Email moca@sfgov.org. The office will send address and permit questions to the right department.