Municipal Code

What is the Flavored Tobacco and E-Cigarette Sales Ban?

Pursuant to Chapter 6.47 of the Municipal Code, the ban prohibits Retail Tobacco Permit Holders from selling any flavored tobacco product, including but not limited to smokeless/chew, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, vape liquid and hookah tobacco, that is manufactured to have an aroma and/or flavor, such as fruit, sweet, candy, alcohol, mint, spice or menthol.

It also prohibits the sale of e-cigarette or vape devices that deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic pipe, electronic hookah, or vapor pen.

When is the ban effective and how can I prepare now?

This ban is effective January 1, 2020. Discontinue ordering and restocking flavored tobacco products and e-cigarette devices now to prevent losing your investment once the rules and regulations are ready to implement.

You are encouraged to print and post this flyer informing customers of the change prior to January 1, 2020.

When will the City enforce the new law? Enforcement will begin on the effective date of January 1, 2020. Avoid permit suspensions and civil penalties by discontinuing sales of flavored tobacco products and electronic cigarettes or vape devices now.

How can I stay informed?

Please read the mailings from the City and pay attention to the website for posting of FAQs. You may also email questions to flavoredtobacco@ssf.net.

How do I report a violation?

Please contact code enforcement at (650) 829-6682 and web-pw@ssf.net.

Useful Links

What's New

The State of California enacted a minimum wage that will reach $15 per hour for all employees by January 1, 2023. The City Council approved a new local minimum wage ordinance to help assist low wage earners with the high cost of living in the City of South San Francisco. The City’s approach seeks to move quicker than the State’s minimum wage, reaching $15 by 2020, after gaining extensive input from local businesses.

On January 1, 2024, the City of South San Francisco's Minimum Wage will adjust by the 2023 Consumer Price Index and increase to $17.25 per hour. This law applies to all businesses within the geographic boundaries of South San Francisco and any employee working at least two or more hours per week.

Local Minimum Wage Implementation Timeline

Wage Violations

To report a suspected violation, contact the City of San Jose’s Office of Equality Assurance (OEA) if you believe an employer is not paying minimum wage. All complaints are confidential, and an employer cannot terminate or discriminate against an employee for filing a complaint with OEA.

There are three ways to file a complaint:

1. In person at the Office of Equality Assurance - 200 East Santa Clara Street, 5th Floor, San Jose, CA 95113
2. By calling (408) 535-8430
3. By emailing MyWage@sanjoseca.gov

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your name, mailing address, and phone number
• Name, address, and phone number of the business
• Manager or owner's name
• Type of work performed
• How and when employees are paid (for example cash or check, weekly or bi-weekly)

Any additional information you can provide, such as copies of pay stubs, personal records of hours worked, or other information regarding the business's pay practice, can be helpful.

What Employers Need to Know

As of January 1, 2024, all businesses operating within the geographic boundaries of the City of South San Francisco are required to pay a minimum wage of $17.25 per hour for all employees working two or more hours per week.

Each year the City will publish, by November 1, a poster announcing the adjusted Minimum Wage rate, which will take effect on January 1 every year. It is the employer’s responsibility to post the notice in a visible place for employees to review the current rate and understand their rights.

It is unlawful for an employer or any other party to discriminate or take adverse action against any person in retaliation for exercising their rights.

The City is responsible for conducting all investigations of possible violations by an employer or other person. The City has the authority to inspect workplaces, interview people, and request the City Attorney to subpoena books, papers, records, or other items relevant to enforcing the minimum wage.

For more information on details about employer obligations, please visit the page.

What Employees Need to Know

As of January 1, 2024, all businesses operating within the geographic boundaries of the City of South San Francisco are required to pay a minimum wage of $17.25 per hour for all employees working two or more hours per week.

As an employee, the City’s ordinance outlines your rights under the new law, including, but not limited to:

• The right to file a complaint and inform the City about any business not complying with the City’s local minimum wage regulations
• The right to inform any employee of their potential rights and assist them in reporting a business not complying with the City’s local minimum wage regulations

To report a suspected violation, you must submit a complaint in writing to the City. Any complaints received by the City are considered confidential to the maximum extent permitted by law; this includes the name or any other identifying information of the employee or person reporting the violation.

For more information about employee rights with regards to the City’s local minimum wage ordinance, please visit the FAQ page(PDF, 85KB).

Documents

• 2024 (11" x 17") Official Notice for Employers to Print/Post
  • Official Notice for Employers to Print/Post - English(PDF, 143KB)
  • Official Notice for Employers to Print/Post - Chinese(PDF, 222KB)
  • Official Notice for Employers to Print/Post - Spanish(PDF, 160KB)
  • Official Notice for Employers to Print/Post - Tagalog(PDF, 136KB)
• Approved Ordinance(PDF, 206KB)

Contact

If you have questions or need additional information, please get in touch with the City Manager’s Office at:

City of South San Francisco
City Manager’s Office
400 Grand Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080

(650) 829-6616
cityinfo@ssf.net