Our Mission and Vision
San Francisco Planning shapes how land is used to meet community needs and guide our city’s future, creating inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous neighborhoods.
We envision an equitable San Francisco where everyone thrives—a welcoming city that honors diverse cultures, provides secure housing, strengthens environmental resilience, and drives economic stability for current and future generations.
Explore Our Commissions
Planning Commission
Comprised of seven members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor, the Planning Commission guides the work of the Department and plays a key role in shaping San Francisco's growth and development. Their focus includes land use and community planning, aimed at advancing the City’s long-term goals.
Historic Preservation Commission
Comprised of seven members appointed by the Mayor, the Historic Preservation Commission designates and governs San Francisco's landmarks and historic buildings and districts. They examine buildings and places that hold significant social, historical, or cultural value to our city's diverse communities.
All commissioners must participate in Implicit Bias training.
What We Do
San Francisco Planning plays a key role in guiding the City's growth. We do this through the following work areas:
Equitable Long-Range Planning
We shape San Francisco's future by creating long-range strategic plans and policies for housing, transportation, urban design, land use, and sustainability across neighborhoods and citywide. We examine the Planning Department’s policies and current role in perpetuating inequity, and aim to address disparities for American Indian, Black, and other communities of color and historically marginalized groups. Learn more about our Racial and Social Equity Action Plan.
Permit and Development Review
We review all development applications to ensure compliance with the San Francisco Planning Code, General Plan, State Law, and relevant design guidelines. This work includes the analyses required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess and mitigate potential negative impacts.
Historic Preservation
We work to preserve significant historical and cultural resources throughout the City to conserve elements of the built environment and maintain a tangible physical connection to the past.
View our latest fiscal year 2023-2024 annual report detailing our accomplishments. Previous reports are available under our publications.
Work With Us
The Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions, with the assistance from the Office of Commission Affairs Commission Affairs Secretary, guide the Director's Office in running the functional divisions of the department.
Opportunities
Check out at the City's Career Center to view all available opportunities with the City & County of San Francisco.