SF delivery-robot permit (2017)
San Francisco Public Works Code § 794 — Autonomous Delivery Device Permit
San Francisco · S.F. Pub. Works Code § 794
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 21, 2018
- Applies to
- Operators of autonomous delivery devices on San Francisco sidewalks
- Enforced by
- San Francisco Public Works
San Francisco became the first U.S. city to comprehensively restrict sidewalk delivery robots after constituent backlash. Supervisor Norman Yee's ordinance limits autonomous delivery devices to a small permit program (initially 9 city-wide and 3 per company), bans them from most sidewalks, caps speed at 3 mph in pedestrian zones, and requires a human chaperone.
Who is protected: San Francisco pedestrians and sidewalk users
Legal detail
S.F. Public Works Code Art. 5.1, § 794 (Autonomous Delivery Device Permits), added by Ordinance No. 247-17 (Dec. 5, 2017); administered by Public Works.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | December 15, 2017 |
| Citation | S.F. Pub. Works Code § 794 |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Permit revocation; administrative fines |
| Topics | consumer protection · government use of AI |
| Statute | San Francisco Ordinance No. 247-17 (Autonomous Delivery Devices) |
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · In effect
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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