Overview
- The 18-month pilot would require certain late-night retailers to close from midnight to 5 a.m. in parts of SoMa and the Sixth Street corridor.
- Stores without liquor licenses would be subject to the closures, while restaurants, bars, and nightclubs remain exempt under state alcohol rules.
- SFPD reported a 14% drop in violent and drug incidents during curfew hours in the Tenderloin’s first six months, and sponsors point to an academic study reporting a larger reduction without displacement.
- The proposed map includes key areas such as Moscone Center and Civic Center BART with carve-outs around City Hall and Union Square, and violations could draw fines up to $1,000.
- Small-business owners warn of lost revenue and seek mitigation, as backers vow to pair the curfew with increased anti-drug enforcement and street cleanup, with earliest implementation expected in early spring if approved.