Street-Use and Mapping

Street Use and Mapping ensures that residents and visitors in San Francisco experience a safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing public right of way. We employ licensed engineers and surveyors, plan checkers, inspectors, project managers and support staff.  The staff is organized into five sections, (Permits, Mapping, Inspection, Special Projects, and Administration).  We work collaboratively with other public and private agencies in order to maximize the cooperation between various capital project teams and minimize disruptions in the public right of way.  We maintain the official city map by maintaining 1,500 survey markers that are used to maintain private and public property boundaries, reviews and processes all subdivisions within the City and administers the condominium conversion process and lottery. Accessible and safe paths of travel are achieved by a dedicated staff of 20 inspectors who monitor construction/use of the roads and sidewalks as well as the condition of San Francisco’s 122,000,000 square feet of sidewalks.  Construction work by utility agencies or by private developers that impact the public right of way are approved and coordinated by the permit section.  Staff also works on special projects such as the pedestal newsrack program, utility undergrounding, as well as inter-agency greening projects.  These coordinated efforts create a sustainable and efficient public use of San Francisco’s roads and sidewalks.

San Francisco is the second densest city in the country.  That quality not only brings a sense of vitality, but a need to efficiently use limited space for a variety of activities.  Construction and development must be conducted in a manner that not only minimizes disruptions to transportation, neighborhoods and business activities, but is done in a manner that efficiently utilizes limited public capital project funds.  The Bureau works with more than 60 public and private agencies to coordinate construction and public activities on the roads of San Francisco.  Staff works with agencies to create joint projects that minimize disruptions for neighborhoods and maximize the public investment in roadway surfacing.  

The adherence to and implementation of complex laws are essential. Staff prides itself on strictly following codes and regulations as found in applicable city ordinances and codes.  Working collaboratively with the City Attorney’s Office, City Planning and other agencies the Bureau is called upon to implement and review complex projects and documents for code compliance.  This attention to detail is paramount in the Bureaus’ daily responsibilities.