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San Francisco is home to some of the world's most innovative environmental legislation and initiatives.
- San Francisco Environment Code (American Legal Publishing)
- Web Privacy Policy
The Environment Code was developed to consolidate the City's Ordinances governing protection of the environment, natural resources, and sustainability.
Learn about ordinances that the department is actively engaging the public to support compliance. Most of the city's Environmental Ordinances are part of the Environment Code, but there are sections of the Police Code, Health Code, and others that pertain to clean air, open spaces, wildlife, and environmental health.
Regulations help us turn a good idea (Ordinance) into a daily practice (Regulation). Our Environmental Regulations page includes regulations, forms, and other resources for our Environmental Ordinances.
The Commission on the Environment advises the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on environmental matters. Suggestions from the Commission usually take the form of Resolutions, which, when adopted, are directed to the Board of Supervisors. Many of these resolutions have informed legislation adopted by the City & County of San Francisco. The following are resolutions the Commission on the Environment has passed over the years.
A policy statement to express approval or disapproval. Unless otherwise provided by state law, Charter, or ordinance, the favorable vote of six of the eleven Supervisors is required to approve resolutions. Resolutions which have not been referred to committee may only be adopted by unanimous vote of all Supervisors present on the day of their introduction. The Clerk of the Board shall publish at the rear of the Rules of Order a list of actions, which require more than a majority vote of the Supervisors present.
The Urban Forestry Council advises city departments, including the Board of Supervisors and the mayor. Its tasks are to develop a comprehensive urban forest plan; educate the public; develop tree-care standards; identify funding needs, staffing needs, and opportunities for urban forest programs; secure adequate resources for urban forest programs; facilitate coordination of tree-management responsibilities among agencies; and report on the state of the urban forest.
Energy
A dynamic city like San Francisco requires the efficient use of clean, renewable energy to meet the needs of today and future generations. Our innovative policies and programs help San Franciscans use energy wisely, while saving money and reducing environmental impacts.
Transportation
SF Environment aims to reduce travel-created carbon by getting people out of cars and instead traveling by walking, biking or public transit. We also are greening the City fleet of vehicles and encourage the public to reduce their impact by supporting cleaner fuels and vehicles.
Zero Waste
Imagine a world in which nothing goes to landfills or to incinerators. We think it is achievable, and SF Environment is doing everything we can to make it happen.
Toxics & Health
As the first city to adopt the Precautionary Principle, San Francisco strives to protect the health of its residents, visitors and the local environment. SF Environment develops programs and policies to help individuals and businesses make safer choices in products, practices and services.
Buildings & Environments
San Francisco is habitat for 800,000 people – meeting needs for space to work, play, and learn; for food, water, and air; for community with local flora and fauna. SF Environment provides support for urban agriculture and forestry and green buildings, helping residents and businesses harness environmental opportunities.
Education & Equity
SF Environment focuses on building community capacity - engaging people throughout the City’s neighborhoods and providing them with the tools, education, and job opportunities to ensure that the places where we live, play, learn, and work are safe and healthy.
Climate Change
Reducing carbon emissions is central to ensuring a sustainable future for San Francisco. Climate change will bring unstable weather, rising sea levels and damage to our city’s natural habitat and infrastructure. SF Environment is committed to mobilizing the City to deal with Climate Change.