Street Lighting
Street lighting brightens a space, making residents and visitors feel more welcome and safe.
Decorative or seasonal string lighting along buildings, trees and street light poles can add vibrancy to your neighborhood or commercial corridor. String lighting is unique in its ability to promote safety while beautifying your block.
Below, you can find general guidance for the main types of string lighting projects that a resident or neighborhood group can undertake. With all string lighting, remember to install fixtures that follow the San Francisco Electrical Code, choose the right lighting that can withstand the elements, secure to limit obstructions and at a height that does not impair or impede pedestrian traffic (13.5′ high at minimum), identify a secure power source and consider a plan for long term maintenance responsibilities.
For projects that are a bit more complicated, including unique light fixtures that cantilever between multiple buildings and over right-of-ways, public outreach to any impacted neighbors is critical, along with early interface with the Department of Public Works, the Fire Department and the SF Public Utilities Commission for permitting and design guidance.
Location
Permissions / Permitting / Process
On Building / Fencing / Poles (on same property)
- Obtain permission from Property Owner
- No additional permits needed
Street Trees (adjacent to property)
- Reach out to Public Works (PW) Bureau of Urban Forestry
- Review and follow PW’s guidelines for Street Tree Guidelines
- Provide PW contact info and a signed agreement of understanding regarding hardware maintenance / tree protection
- Pay for any and all costs associated with delivery of lights
City Light Poles – Holiday Lights or Displays (or any other alternative lighting use)
- Reach Out to SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC):
- Holiday Light Displays
- Alternative Street Pole Use
- Receive permission for holiday / alternative lights and pay for costs associated with the supply and delivery of lights
Cantilevered between Buildings / Fencing / Poles to Another Parcel or over a Right-of-Way
- Obtain permission from Property Owners, for any building where attachments may be made to secure lighting
- Obtain SFPUC or PW permission if any attachments are made to City light poles
- Review designs and obtain relevant permits from with SF Fire Department, PW and Department of Building Inspection
