San Francisco Seeks to Repeal Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash

City leaders cite concerns over break-ins and business burdens as reasons to overturn 2019 mandate.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Seven years after San Francisco passed a law requiring brick and mortar stores to accept cash from customers, city leaders are now seeking to repeal the requirement. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who proposed the repeal, said he was inspired to do so after hearing complaints from business owners that break-ins were 'kind of out of control' and that the cash acceptance rule made them targets. Some small business owners, like Rocco's Café owner Michael Rotella, have already opted to go cashless despite the law, citing safety concerns and instances of counterfeit bills.

Why it matters

The cash acceptance law was originally passed in 2019 to improve accessibility and inclusivity for the 'very poor,' immigrant communities, and the young and old who may not have access to non-cash payment methods. However, city leaders now argue that equity concerns are 'less prevalent' as electronic payment options have become more widespread. The proposed repeal highlights the tension between supporting small businesses and ensuring financial access for vulnerable populations.

The details

The cash acceptance law, an amendment to the police code, requires most businesses to accept cash payments. However, some business owners say the rule has made them targets for break-ins and burglaries, leading them to flout the law and go cashless anyway. Supervisor Matt Dorsey, a supporter of the repeal, said business owners should be permitted to choose whether to accept cash, while acknowledging that some cash-only establishments may 'pay a price' for that decision.

  • The cash acceptance law was passed in 2019.
  • The proposed repeal will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors' public safety committee on Thursday.

The players

Rafael Mandelman

A San Francisco Supervisor who proposed the repeal of the cash acceptance law, citing concerns from business owners about break-ins and burglaries.

Michael Rotella

The owner of Rocco's Café in SoMa, who went cashless despite the law after discovering his restaurant had accepted thousands of dollars in counterfeit bills and experiencing multiple break-ins.

Matt Dorsey

A San Francisco Supervisor and supporter of the repeal, who said business owners should be permitted to choose whether to accept cash payments.

Evan Bloom

The founder of Wise Sons Deli, who wrote a letter urging supervisors to pass the repeal after his business experienced 'repeated break-ins and armed robberies' and decided to go cashless.

Eric Manke

A spokesperson for the Office of Financial Empowerment, a public/private partnership within the city's Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, who noted that unbanked and underbanked residents can face higher costs and barriers in everyday transactions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We burden small businesses in the city to an extraordinary extent. I think this is one area where we should let them decide how best to serve their customers.”

— Rafael Mandelman, San Francisco Supervisor (missionlocal.org)

“It was very apparent to me that people were breaking in for cash. So that's when I went completely cashless.”

— Michael Rotella, Owner, Rocco's Café (missionlocal.org)

“Equity concerns are less prevalent today than they were at the time the mandate was first passed because it's easier to get EBT cards, and platforms like Zelle and Venmo are more common.”

— Matt Dorsey, San Francisco Supervisor (missionlocal.org)

“These residents are often the most financially vulnerable and can face higher costs and barriers in everyday transactions.”

— Eric Manke, Spokesperson, Office of Financial Empowerment (missionlocal.org)

“Since doing so, we have experienced zero break-ins.”

— Evan Bloom, Founder, Wise Sons Deli (missionlocal.org)

What’s next

The proposed repeal of the cash acceptance law will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors' public safety committee on Thursday.

The takeaway

The debate over San Francisco's cash acceptance law highlights the complex balance between supporting small businesses and ensuring financial access for vulnerable populations. As electronic payment options become more widespread, city leaders argue the equity concerns are less pressing, but some business owners still view the requirement as a safety risk and burden.