Mayor Lurie Signs Legislation to Combat Sale of Stolen Goods on San Francisco Streets

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Lurie today signed legislation that will allow San Francisco to combat the sale of commonly stolen goods in accordance with the SAFE Streets Act (SB 276), authored by State Senator Scott Wiener and sponsored by the mayor. The ordinance marks the final step in authorizing enforcement of new vending requirements, equipping San Francisco with new tools to crack down on fencing—the open-air sale of stolen goods that fuels retail theft and threatens public safety—while supporting the city’s community of legal vendors and small businesses. 

Since taking office, Mayor Lurie has worked to deliver clean and safe streets in the Mission District and neighborhoods across San Francisco. Earlier this year, the mayor signed an agreement with Caltrans to keep San Francisco’s streets clean and safe and address encampments, litter, debris, and weeds in SoMa and other neighborhoods. As part of his Breaking the Cycle plan to combat the behavioral health and homelessness crisis, Mayor Lurie integrated the city’s street outreach teams and stood up recovery and treatment beds with San Francisco’s encampment numbers reaching their lowest levels on record.

“San Francisco’s recovery depends on safe and clean streets,” said Mayor Lurie. “The SAFE Streets Act and the ordinance I signed today give us the authority to enforce illegal vending operations while protecting hardworking, permitted vendors and supporting small businesses. Thank you to Senator Wiener and our state partners for advancing this critical piece of legislation and to Governor Newsom for signing it into law.” 

“This signing is a critical step to clean up our streets by tackling the sale of stolen goods,” said Senator Weiner. "It’s been a long journey to make progress on this important issue, and I’m incredibly proud of Mayor’s Lurie’s partnership in getting this across the finish line in both Sacramento and City Hall. Now it’s time to get to work making our streets cleaner and safer for all San Franciscans.”

The ordinance amends the Public Works and PortCodes in alignment with SB 276, to strengthen enforcement against street vending on city property without a permit. Under the new law, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) can issue escalating penalties, after Public Works has issued a warning, starting with infractions for the second and third violations, followed by misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in county jail and fines up to $1,000, for individuals who repeatedly sell certain goods that are common targets of retail theft without a permit within 18 months of the first violation.  

The ordinance establishes a list of merchandise commonly targeted in retail theft, based on data from SFPD’s Organized Retail Crime Unit. The list, which may be updated to reflect changing retail theft patterns, includes items associated with at least 100 reported theft incidents during the review period. The full list can be found here. 

The new enforcement provisions are unlikely to affect the vast majority of street vendors, including those who operate with a permit, sell listed items with proof of purchase, or sell prepared food. 

In 2022, the city launched a coordinated, multi-department operation involving the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, San Francisco Public Works, Department of Emergency Management and SFPD to curb illegal vending in the Mission through temporary vending restrictions moratorium that served as a key tool to stop unpermitted vending and illegal activity. At the same time, the city launched a Street Vending Pilot Program to uplift permitted vendors, enabling them to sell goods legally while supporting economic opportunity for immigrant communities and others getting their economic footing and preserving an important part of San Francisco’s cultural fabric.  

Among businesses surveyed in June 2025, 45% of respondents indicated that the Mission Street corridor has become safer since the moratorium took effect, 53% indicated they had seen positive change along the Mission Street corridor, and 57% of respondents noticed a significant improvement in walking in or around the BART plazas at 16th Street or 24th Street.  

“We would not be here today without the partnership of community leaders like Mission Street Vendors Association, who played a critical role in ensuring that this legislation addressed the needs of our permitted vendors and small businesses citywide,” said Anne Taupier, OEWD Executive Director. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we work with our city partners to nurture the economic growth of our street vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses, who are essential to the city’s overall vibrancy.”  

“San Francisco has made progress in creating a safer and cleaner Mission Street corridor through the strategic permit pilot program and stepped-up outreach and enforcement,” said Carla Short, Director of San Francisco Public Works. “Now with the SAFE Streets Act signed into law, San Francisco has another critical tool to go after the bad actors and build on the momentum to improve neighborhood conditions benefitting both the broader community and the vendors who have long contributed to the vibrant culture of the Mission.” 

OEWD also worked with the Mayor’s Office and state partners to include community voices in the legislative process, including Mission Street Vendors Association, CLECHA, and Mission Streets Merchants Association. By maintaining a strong relationship with the Street Vendors Association and collaborating closely with Mission District small businesses, OEWD has advanced efforts to reform street vending while promoting safer streets for workers, customers, and the community.  

“We support this legislation not as a tool for enforcement, but as a framework for clarity,” said Rodrigo Lopez, President of the Mission Street Vendors Association. “It helps us protect the livelihoods of vendors, pave the way for an organized process, and ensures that the very people who make our community so special are the ones who get to define their future.”  

“The Mission Merchants Association stands with our small business community, from hardworking street vendors to brick-and-mortar shops, with undeniable support and love. A safe and welcoming environment is essential for all to thrive, and the sales of fentanyl, stolen goods, and other illicit activity deeply harm our neighborhood,” said Ryen Motzek, President of the Mission Merchants Association. “We also recognize that desperate times can lead people to desperate measures, and we are committed to connecting individuals with resources, job placement, and opportunities that support a healthier path forward. We remain dedicated to protecting and uplifting every entrepreneur who contributes positively to the Mission District community.” 

“Street vending has always been an integral part of the Latino culture in the Mission District; fencing has never been and never has been supported in our community,” said William Cartagena Ortiz, Treasurer and Founder of CLECHA. “We are here to support our street vendors, many of which have served the community for decades, and ensure they have a safe, robust, and cultural centric environment in which to thrive and prosper in.” 

“We’re grateful to the governor for signing the SAFE Streets Act, building on his strong leadership to combat retail theft and last year’s historic reform package developed in collaboration with the California Retailers Association and Senator Wiener,” said Rachel Michelin, President of the California Retailers Association. “SB 276 ensures we can continue celebrating San Francisco’s vibrant street vendor culture while keeping our communities safe by holding those who fence stolen goods accountable.”