Plans & Ordinances

South San Francisco's 2040 General Plan (adopted in 2022) outlines goals, policies, and actions which prioritize the health of our community - both our residents and our natural environment. The 2040 General Plan also includes actions to proactively address and increase our community's resiliency to climate change, sea level rise, and other environmental changes. 

To learn more, visit the Shape SSF 2040 General Plan website by clicking this link here.

Check out the following chapters:

• Chapter 12: Community Health and Environmental Justice - Place, race, income, and environmental conditions all contribute to the health of community members. The Community Health and Environmental Justice Element addresses existing community health concerns as well as approaches to managing new development to prevent future health and environmental justice issues.

• Chapter 13: Community Resilience - The Community Resilience Element includes goals and policies that will proactively advance community resilience, preparing the community for all hazards, including climate disruption, while ensuring a high quality response and recovery from future disasters.

• Chapter 14: Climate Protection - The City recognizes the risks posed by climate change and aims to protect our natural resources and community, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, from the potential impacts and strives to build a more resilient city.

• Chapter 15: Environmental and Cultural Stewardship - As South San Francisco grows, the City will foster urban ecology, protect its cultural and historic resources, create an abundant urban forest that supports vegetation and wildlife, protect its open spaces, and steward the San Francisco Bay and Colma Creek.

The City of South San Francisco understands that climate change is not only impacting our natural environment; it is also threatening the health and economic vitality of our communities. The extent to which South San Francisco is impacted by climate change is dependent on our actions today. By curbing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting our community to the already changing environment, we can significantly reduce the damages incurred from climate change.

To set out a clear framework for addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in South San Francisco, the City Council adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2022. Click here for the Climate Action Plan. 

The Climate Action Plan provides goals, policies, actions, and performance metrics that address: 

Clean energy with the intent of fostering a resilient and fossil-free energy system to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions as well as improve local air quality and public health. 

New construction with the intent that green buildings are the standard in South San Francisco for new construction and major renovations. 

Existing buildings with the intent that the performance of existing buildings in South San Francisco is improved and decarbonized. 

Transportation and land use with the intent that transportation in South San Francisco will be safe, multimodal, sustainable, livable, and connected. 

Solid waste with the intent that the City continues to divert organics from landfills in accordance with State targets, meeting the requirements of SB 1383: Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act and reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to landfilled waste as well as cultivating behavior change around resource consumption. 

Water and wastewater with the intent that water is used efficiently in South San Francisco to help ensure a safe and resilient water supply. 

Carbon sequestration and natural systems with the intent that the City increases carbon sequestration in public lands, open spaces, and the urban forest through the enhancement of natural systems and provides many quality-of-life and resiliency benefits in addition to emissions reductions. 

City leadership with the intent that the City demonstrates leadership with high-performing sustainable municipal buildings, facilities, landscaping, and parks.

On March 25, 2020, the City of South San Francisco adopted a Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance that mirrors San Mateo County’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance. This Ordinance aims to reduce the amount of plastic disposable foodware that is used and distributed in South San Francisco and to encourage the use of reusable foodware. Enforcement of the Ordinance began on March 25, 2022 by San Mateo County’s Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the City of South San Francisco.

For the Ordinance, click this link here for South San Francisco Municipal Code Chapter 8.72: Use of Disposable Food Service Ware. 

Key Elements

Key elements of the Ordinance include:

1. Most disposable foodware must be non-plastic, fiber-based, and compostable.
2. Larger disposable foodware items such as bowls, plates, and clamshells must have little or no harmful fluorinated chemicals.
3. The distribution of disposable foodware accessories (e.g., forks, spoons, napkins, condiment packets, straws, etc.) should be upon request only or at dispensers that dispense one item at a time.

Resources

• Visit the San Mateo County's Office of Sustainability website for responses to frequently asked questions, a purchasing guide for acceptable disposable items, outreach materials (e.g., tent cards, employee guide, etc.), and other resources

•  Free technical assistance is available for food facilities to help meet the requirements of the Ordinance as well as go beyond the requirements and switch to reusable foodware. Up to $300 is available for food facilities who are interested in switching from disposable to reusable food ware! Please contact the County's Foodware Aware Team for additional information at foodware@smcgov.org or call the hotline at 888-442-2666.

• Purchasing Guide listing acceptable disposable and reusable foodware

As of January 1, 2025, the retail sale of foam plates, bowls, cups, lids, and trays is not permitted in South San Francisco. These products are sometimes called Styrofoam™ or EPS (expanded or extruded polystyrene). The products may have a #6 resin code on the bottom and are white in color.

For the Ordinance, click this link here for South San Francisco Municipal Code Chapter 8.72: Use of Disposable Food Service Ware.

The sale of polystyrene foam is prohibited by all vendors, including, but not limited to: cafeterias, caterers and fraternal clubs, convenience, liquor, and grocery stores, mobile food vendors, carts, food kiosks and stands, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and pubs, retail stores, restaurant supply stores, party supply stores, drug stores, hardware stores, and supermarket take out.

 Resources

• San Mateo County Office of Sustainability - Disposable Food Ware webpage and resources
• Purchasing Guide listing acceptable disposable and reusable foodware 

Did you know?

• Polystyrene foam is considered non-biodegradable because it takes approximately 500 years to decompose.
• Polystyrene is not recyclable, and because it does not biodegrade, it remains in our landfills indefinitely.
• Polystyrene breaks down into tiny pieces, infiltrating our water and food sources. 
• There is growing consensus that polystyrene is a likely carcinogen and leaches harmful chemicals once heated.