Ordinance Adopting Chapter 10.80 of the
South San Francisco Municipal Code
Regarding Access to Multi-Unit Buildings for
Campaigning
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: JULY 24, 2024
Government Code Section
54957.5 SB 343 Item
Agenda: 07/24/2024 REG CC
Item 19
Background
u Candidates for elective office are able to reach residents of single-family residences by going door-to door to provide residents with information and opportunities to interact with candidates or their representatives.
u Residents of multi-family housing and other housing types with restricted access are less likely to obtain the same information and have the opportunity to interact with candidates and their representatives.
u This barrier diminishes the ability of residents of those housing types to get informed about elections.
Proposed Ordinance
u Prohibits any “person, landlord, or corporation who is in control of a multi-unit building” from “prevent[ing] a
candidate or their representative from lawfully
campaigning door-to-door at the doors to the housing
units during an election.”
u Multi-unit Building includes:
uApartment building
uCondominium building
uResidential center
uGated community
uOther residential complex with more than one
unit and secure common entrance
Exception
u Does not apply to university and college residences and long-term care centers, or in a multi-unit building where active voting is taking place at that location at the same time.
Steps for Candidate Access
u A registered candidate or candidate’s representative
may be required to present a copy of their
documentation confirming their candidate registration
as evidence of eligibility in order to gain access to any multi-unit building for the purpose of lawful campaigning door-to-door.
First Violation - Educational Notice
u A person violating the ordinance for the first time
must be given an educational notice.
Violations
u A second or further violation could be enforced
as a criminal infraction and would be declared
a public nuisance, subject to all remedies and
enforcement measures authorized under the
Municipal Code.
Ordinance Adoption Timeline
Introduction of Ordinance: July 24, 2024
Adoption of Ordinance: August 14, 2024
Ordinance Effective: September 14, 2024
QUESTIONS?