HRC's Civil Rights Division investigates and mediates complaints of discrimination and non-compliance in employment, housing and public accommodation, as prescribed by City policy and jurisdiction. In addition, the Division is charged with implementing the Sanctuary City Ordinance by assisting the public in filing, mediating, and investigating complaints of non-compliance with the ordinance.

 

What We Do:

• Investigate and mediate discrimination complaints in the areas of housing, public accommodations, and employment.
• Investigate and mediate complaints of noncompliance with the Fair Chance and Sanctuary City Ordinances.
• Engage stakeholders to resolve community disputes and issues involving individual or systemic illegal discrimination.
• Provide technical assistance, information and referrals to individuals, community groups, businesses and government agencies related to human rights and social justice.

What We Cannot Do:

• Provide individual legal represenation or legal advice.
• Provide direct advocacy (be an advocate for a particular side while a case is under investigation). 

 

How to Submit a Complaint:

You can submit a request for HRC to investigate a complaint of discrimination by doing any of the following: 

• Visit the office of the Human Rights Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, to complete an Intake Questionnaire and schedule an intake appointment.
• Call 415-252-2500 to schedule an intake appointment. If you reach the automated answering service, please leave a message with your name and phone number so that we can call you back to arrange an appointment.
• Send an email to hrc.info@sfgov.org stating that you want to schedule an intake appointment.  You may include information about your complaint in your email message, or you may provide that information directly to an HRC investigator at your intake appointment.

 

Quick Links

More links to Discrimination Division information are in the column to the right. 

Information on San Francisco laws the Discrimination Division enforces:

• Non-discrimination in Housing, Employment and Public Accommodations (San Francisco Police Code Article 33)
• Non Discrimination based on HIV Status (San Francisco Police Code Article 38) 
• Non Discrimination in Housing against Families with Minor Children (San Francisco Police Code Article 1.2) 
• Non-discrimination in Contracts with the City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12B) 
• Non-discrimination in Property Contracts with the City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12C) 
• Sanctuary City Ordinance (San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 12H) 
• Sanctuary City Ordinance: Best Practices for Landlords (Spanish) 
• Sanctuary City Ordinance: Best Practices for Landlords (English)
• Fair Chance Ordinance (San Francisco Police Code Article 49) 

 

Nondiscrimination Notices

Section 3303(d) of the San Francisco Police Code requires all employers with a business tax registration certificate from the City to post a non-discrimination in employment notice.  This notice must be posted in a conspicuous place and available to employees and independent contractors.  

• 3303(d) Nondiscrimination in Employment Notice

In addition, the Fair Chance Ordinance requires employers with five (5) or more employees as well as affordable housing providers to post a Fair Chance Ordinance Notice. Current Fair Chance Ordinance Notices for affordable housing providers (with additional information on FCO obligations) are available on the HRC's website here.