City Surveillance Technology Policies

At a glance

• What: Ordinances approving surveillance technology policies for City departments: Elections (security cameras), Fire Department (social media monitoring software), Airport (license plate readers and parking and ground transportation systems) and Recreation and Park (vehicle-mounted license plate readers).
• Where it stands: Elections and Fire policies passed on first reading October 20, 2026, 9-0. The Airport and Recreation and Park policies were introduced September 29 and sent to the Government Audit and Oversight Committee under the 30-day rule, expiring October 29, 2026.
• Next: Second reading for Elections and Fire; committee action on the two license plate reader policies by October 29.

Details

• File No. 260272: amended Surveillance Technology Policy for the Department of Elections' continued use of security cameras. First reading October 20: 9-0.
• File No. 260414: new Surveillance Technology Policy for the Fire Department's social media monitoring software. First reading October 20: 9-0.
• File No. 261035: amended Airport policy (automated license plate readers, Ground Transportation Management System, Parking Assist Parking Guidance System, Parking Access and Revenue Control System). Received September 18; assigned to Government Audit and Oversight September 29.
• File No. 261036: amended Recreation and Park policy for vehicle-mounted automatic license plate readers. Received September 21; assigned September 29.
• At public comment on September 29 a speaker raised concerns about surveillance cameras (among other topics).

Sources

• Board of Supervisors minutes (draft), October 20, 2026: https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1456063&GUID=0A30E5F1-D311-43A1-853E-C5E13B727FFB
• Board of Supervisors minutes (draft), September 29, 2026: https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1449004&GUID=82BD7CE6-C773-4BF3-A2FA-3A59A473DBB1

Log

2026-10-20 - Board of Supervisors

Rules recommendations (Elections, Fire) called together; both PASSED ON FIRST READING, 9-0.

2026-09-29 - Board of Supervisors

Airport and Recreation and Park policies introduced; 30-day rule, expires October 29.

2026-10-27 - Board of Supervisors

FINALLY PASSED, 11-0: Elections amended policy (260272) and Fire Department policy (260414).

2026-11-05 - Government Audit and Oversight Committee

Scheduled: Airport policy (261035) and Recreation and Park automated license plate reader policy (261036; the Chair intends to refer it to the full Board on November 10).

2026-11-05 - Government Audit and Oversight Committee (update)

Recommended 3-0: amended Airport policy (261035) and amended Recreation and Park policy (261036, as a committee report). Possible Board action November 10.

2026-10-05 - Rules Committee

• Fire Department social media monitoring software policy forwarded to the full Board with recommendation, without objection.