ARTICLE 34:
REGULATIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS – PERMIT AND LICENSE PROVISIONS

Sec. 3400.	Definitions.
Sec. 3401.	Permit Required.
Sec. 3402.	Application for Permit.
Sec. 3403.	Investigation – Issuance or Denial of Permit – Expiration Date.
Sec. 3404.	License.
Sec. 3405.	License Fee.
Sec. 3406.	Renewal of Permit.
Sec. 3407.	Revocation of Permit – Rules and Regulations.
Sec. 3408.	Permit and License not Exemption from any other Provisions of Code.
Sec. 3410.	Street Photographer.
Sec. 3411.	Application for Permit – Bond.
Sec. 3412.	Investigation of Application of Principal of Permit.
Sec. 3413.	Application for Street Permit – Issuance of Permit.
Sec. 3414.	Filing Application and Fee.
Sec. 3415.	License Fee.
Sec. 3416.	Issuance of "Street Photographer" Badge.
Sec. 3417.	Penalty.
Sec. 3420.	Photographic Solicitors.
Sec. 3421.	Application for Permit Bond.
Sec. 3422.	Investigation of Application of Principal – Issuance of Permit.
Sec. 3423.	Application for Street Permit – Investigation – Issuance of Permit.
Sec. 3424.	Filing Application and Fee.
Sec. 3425.	License Fee.
Sec. 3426.	Badge.
Sec. 3427.	Penalty.

 

SEC. 3400. DEFINITIONS.

   As used in Sections 3400 through 3408 the following words shall have the following respective meanings:

   (a)   "Photographer" shall mean every person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of taking photographs of human beings in a public place or any place open to the public for any purpose, except as an established photographic studio upon an agreement or understanding that money or other lawful consideration will be paid for the said taking.

   (b)   "Solicitor" shall mean every person acting as servant, agent or employee of a photographer, as defined herein, who solicits the taking or actually takes photographs of human beings in a public place or any place open to the public for any purpose, except as an established photographic studio, upon an agreement or understanding that money or other lawful consideration will be paid for the said taking.

   The aforesaid definitions shall not include a "Street Photographer" as defined in this Article, nor photographers employed by newspapers or other similar publications while engaged in the scope of their employment.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81)

SEC. 3401. PERMIT REQUIRED.

   It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in or carry on, or to maintain or conduct, or cause to be engaged in, carried on, maintained or conducted, the business of photographer in public places or to act as a solicitor without having first secured a permit to do so from the Chief of Police and a license therefor from the Tax Collector.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81)

SEC. 3402. APPLICATION FOR PERMIT.

   Every person requiring a permit as provided for in Section 3401 shall make written application to the Chief of Police for such a permit on forms provided by the Police Department together with a filing fee. Said application shall be accompanied by fingerprints of the applicant, shall contain all information deemed relevant by the Chief of Police, and for a permit as photographer, shall contain in addition thereto the name, business or occupation, and resident address of each person financially interested in such business. For a permit as solicitor, such application shall be first authorized in writing by the photographer engaging, employing or hiring such person.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81)

SEC. 3403. INVESTIGATION – ISSUANCE OR DENIAL OF PERMIT – EXPIRATION DATE.

   Upon receipt of said application the Chief of Police shall conduct such investigation as he may deem proper as to the character and morals of the applicant and the character of the business to be conducted. The Chief of Police may deny said application when, in his opinion, good cause exists therefor. If the Chief of Police approves the granting of said permit, he may issue a permit to said applicant which permit shall be serially numbered and shall expire on the last day of the calendar year in which issued.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81)

SEC. 3404. LICENSE.

   When any permit is issued under the provisions of Sections 3400 to 3408, the Chief of Police shall cause said permit to be forwarded to the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector for delivery to the permittee upon the payment of the license fee.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81; amended by Ord. 238-11, File No. 111101, App. 12/15/2011, Eff. 1/14/2012)

SEC. 3405. LICENSE FEE.

   Every holder of a permit as herein provided shall pay to the Tax Collector an annual license fee. The license fee shall be paid annually on or before March 31, in accordance with the provisions of Section 76.1 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code.*

   The licensee shall issue to each solicitor employed a badge of such wording, design and material as the Chief of Police shall authorize. Said badge shall be worn on the person by the solicitor for whom it was issued, in a conspicuous place for the public to see, at all times when said person is engaged in taking such photographs or soliciting the same. It shall be unlawful for any other person to wear or otherwise display said badge.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81; amended by Ord. 238-11, File No. 111101, App. 12/15/2011, Eff. 1/14/2012)

SEC. 3406. RENEWAL OF PERMIT.

   Renewal of the permit shall be in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 23 of Article I, Part III, of the San Francisco Municipal Code.

(Added by Ord. 555-81, App. 11/12/81)