Accessible Barrier Removal Grant

Accessible Barrier Removal Grant is sponsored by City and County of San Francisco, Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD). This reimbursement program helps small businesses in San Francisco make their storefronts more accessible to the public and support compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The grant covers eligible accessibility improvements at commercially zoned storefronts.

Apply for a grant to make your business accessible | SF. gov Apply for a grant to make your business accessible Small businesses can receive reimbursement for eligible accessibility improvements that help make their storefronts more accessible to the public and support compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Office of Economic and Workforce Development Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspections, automatic doors, ramps, accessible restrooms, accessible fixtures and equipment, design services, permit fees, and other improvements that remove barriers to access. Improve accessibility at public-facing storefronts throughout San Francisco.

Remove physical barriers that limit access to goods and services. Support small businesses in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) . Up to $10,000 per business location.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be accepted until all available funding has been awarded or until June 11th, 2027, at 5 pm , whichever comes first. Check if your business is eligible Be a registered business with the City and County of San Francisco with an active Business Account Number (BAN) Have less than $2.

5 million in annual gross revenue for a single location Have less than $8 million in gross revenue for a single business with multiple locations Have an average of 100 or fewer employees Be a place of public accommodation (open to the public as defined by the Federal ADA) Not have any open notices of violation with any City Department Be in good standing with the California Secretary of State If you are suspended from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), you are not eligible NOTE: Property owners are only eligible if they also own and operate the business.

Nonprofits may qualify if they: Operate a place of public accommodation Are current with the California Registry of Charitable Trusts The following are not eligible: Private clubs not generally open to the public Residential short-term rentals Businesses operating in Shared Spaces Businesses located inside shopping malls Check if your project is eligible Eligible project examples Entrance Accessibility Improvements: Automatic door openers, push buttons, accessible doors, accessible ramps Restroom Accessibility Improvements: Grab bars, accessible sinks, toilets, restroom doors, restroom renovations Accessible Fixtures and Equipment: CASp inspections, architectural or engineering design services Construction, labor and permit fees If your project includes construction, the installation of permanent fixtures, electrical work or plumbing , you must obtain any required permits.

If your project only includes improvements such as grab bars, towel dispensers, door handles, or signage , you must have either : A building permit showing the work complies with ADA requirements, or A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report showing the improvements comply with ADA requirements Construction and installation costs are eligible for reimbursement only if your contractor pays the applicable prevailing wage .

Associated permit fees may also be eligible when prevailing wage requirements are met. Learn more about prevailing wage requirements from the Office of Labor and Standards Enforcement . Projects completed on or after January 1, 2025, may be eligible for reimbursement.

You can also apply while your project is in progress by submitting quotes or estimates dated within the last six months. Once the project is complete, we will ask you to provide paid invoices, proof of payment, photos of the completed work, and any other required documentation before reimbursement is issued.

Determine whether you need permits Time: If you already have all required permits, you can skip this step Many accessibility improvement projects require permits before work can begin. If you're unsure whether your project requires permits, the Office of Small Business can help.

Schedule an appointment if: You haven't started construction, You're unsure what permits are required, or You're planning improvements that involve construction, electrical or plumbing work. Schedule a meeting with a permit specialist Permit Specialist Appointment You can learn more about the Office of Small Business and permitting assistance below.

Gather your documentation Business Account Number (BAN) Business ownership information Average number of employees If your project is not complete , submit: Quotes or estimates dated within the last six months.

If your project is complete , submit: Photos of the completed work Permit information (if applicable) CASp report (if applicable) Projects completed on or after January 1, 2025 , are eligible for reimbursement If you apply before your project is complete, you do not need to submit another application once construction is finished. We'll contact you by email with instructions for providing the remaining documentation.

Accessibility improvements included as part of a larger invoice must be clearly itemized. If requesting reimbursement for labor Labor costs are only eligible if contractors pay the applicable prevailing wage. Contractor prevailing wage attestation Itemized invoices separating labor from materials Learn more about prevailing wage requirements from the Office of Labor and Standards Enforcement .

Review important information before applying Applicants must certify that all information provided in their application is true and accurate and agree to comply with all grant requirements.

OEWD may require recipients to repay all or a portion of grant funds if they provide materially false or misleading information, use funds for an unapproved purpose, fail to meet a material grant requirement, or otherwise violate the terms of the grant agreement. Recipients must demonstrate a good-faith effort to remain open and operating for at least 24 months after receiving grant funding.

Failure to do so may result in violation of the terms of the grant agreement. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Funding decisions are made at the sole discretion of the City and County of San Francisco.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all available funding has been awarded or until June 11, 2027, at 5 p. m. , whichever comes first.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis . Complete the online application and upload the required documentation: Apply for the Accessible Barrier Removal Grant What to expect after you apply You'll receive an automatic email confirming your application. OEWD will review your application and may contact you if additional information is needed.

If you applied with quotes or estimates, we'll contact you once your project is complete with instructions for submitting the remaining documentation. If applicable, OEWD will verify permit completion before reimbursement. We aim to notify applicants of their status within 15 business days .

Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Funding is awarded based on eligibility, available funding, and completion of all program requirements. Become a City Supplier (if approved) If your application is approved, you must become a City Supplier before the City can issue your reimbursement.

You do not need to complete this step before applying . We will provide instructions after your application has been approved. To receive payment, you will need to complete the City Supplier registration process.

Applicants for this grant do not need to complete Step 5 (Equal Benefits Declaration) on the City Supplier registration page. Once you have completed the City Supplier registration process and submitted all required reimbursement documentation, you can expect to receive your payment within 30 days .