Guide to racial equity ordinance for City departments

Learn how your department can comply with ordinance requirements

The San Francisco Administrative Code (Ordinance No. 188-19) requires all City departments to address racial disparities in their workforce, programs, and services.

Reach out to the Office of Racial Equity to learn about current timelines, resources, and citywide initiatives.

Designate Racial Equity Leaders

Designate at least one staff person as a Racial Equity Leader. Their responsibilities will include:

Serving as department liaison to ORE
Leading or coordinating your department's Racial Equity Action Plan, as well as equity strategy and programs
Working closely with department head and senior management

Email racialequitysf@sfgov.org when your departments assigns new Racial Equity Leaders.

If your department annual budget is over $10 million, you must designate one person per division as a Racial Equity Leader and submit a staffing plan to ORE.

Create a Racial Equity Action Plan

Convene your department staff to develop a racial equity action plan. The plan will outline your department's initiatives for institutional and structural change. Contact ORE for the current citywide template for racial equity action plans.

According to the ordinance, your plan must:

Align with the citywide racial equity framework
Include data about your workforce, programs, and policies
Be integrated into your departmental strategic plan
Be presented publicly to your commission or other oversight or advisory body, if applicable
Be published on your department website

Email racialequitysf@sfgov.org when your plan is completed or updated.

Most City departments have created "Phase One" plans focused on equity in City jobs. This year, ORE is convening City departments to develop "Phase Two" plans about equity in City services, grants, and contracts.

Provide annual progress reports

Facilitate discussions with your department staff throughout the year to identify challenges and progress in implementing your racial equity action plan. Summarize highlights, learnings, and priorities for the next year in a progress report.

Contact ORE for the current timeline and template for progress reports. ORE updates the template in collaboration with City departments each year.

Participate with the Citywide Racial Equity Strategy Table and Equity Advisory Committee

The Strategy Table and Equity Advisory Committee advise ORE on citywide policy priorities for racial equity. They will convene working groups, workshops, and public meetings throughout the year to align City departments around specific issues.

Your department Racial Equity Leader will receive information to share with your department staff and community members about how to join in.