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San Francisco Opens 'Dumb Laws' Contest to Crowdsource Outdated Rules

Residents and small businesses have until March 30 to flag outdated rules in a consultative effort that could inform future reforms.

Overview

  • Supervisor Alan Wong launched the contest inviting online submissions of city laws, permit rules, fees, signs, or processes that feel obsolete, overly complex, or unnecessary.
  • Entries are open through March 30, with one or more winners to be recognized in April by Wong’s office and featured on his social media channels.
  • Wong frames the effort as a conversation-starter rather than a repeal drive, stressing there are no promised outcomes and that any proposed changes will be vetted to avoid unintended harms.
  • Examples highlighted include Health Code 407 barring bread or pastries in uncovered baskets and other quirky rules such as bans on ball-playing in streets or riding a horse while drunk.
  • The initiative ties into broader streamlining efforts, with officials citing past permit fixes like the Shared Spaces Program and small-business hurdles such as a storefront security upgrade that cost about $30,000 after vandalism.