Exhibits arylsulfatase activity towards the artificial substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate (By similarity). May be essential for the correct composition of cartilage and bone matrix during development (By similarity). Has no activity toward steroid sulfates (By similarity). an aryl sulfate + H2O = a phenol + H(+) + sulfate Binds 1 Ca(2+) ion per subunit. The conversion to 3-oxoalanine (also known as C-formylglycine, FGly), of a serine or cysteine residue in prokaryotes and of a cysteine residue in eukaryotes, is critical for catalytic activity. Belongs to the sulfatase family.