Entertainment Commission Compliance Checklist

For Brick-and-Mortar Businesses

[  ] Read your entertainment permit. Know your permit conditions and make sure your business is complying with the permit conditions. 

Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve brushed up on your permit conditions. Know your sound limit. Know your approved days and hours of activity.

[  ] Make sure your entertainment permit is posted in a conspicuous location inside the business and that your staff know where it is.

[  ] Make sure your business establishment is following all of the Good Neighbor Policy (GNP) rules, which is a part of your permit conditions. The policy includes, but is not limited to, the following key rules: 

• While hosting entertainment, permit holder shall always have a staff member on site who is able to provide proof of permit, is trained in every aspect of venue operation, and is aware of all permit conditions. 
  
  Did you hire a new on-site manager? Make sure they’re up to speed on your permit and know where to find it in case a Sound Inspector shows up in response to a complaint.
  
  
• Permit holder shall take measures to reduce the amount of sound that escapes the venue. All doors and windows must be kept closed while hosting indoor entertainment, unless otherwise conditioned on the permit.
  
  Have a line outside? You should still keep the door closed in between people entering/exiting the business to reduce sound escaping.
  
  
• Within 24 hours of any violent incident, or any time SFPD responds to a call for service at the premises, permit holder shall complete and send an incident report to (1) their SFPD District Station Permit Officer and (2) the Entertainment Commission. Download the Incident Report Form.
  
  In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Then fill out the Incident Report Form and email it to us at Entertainment.Enforcement@sfgov.org and the Permit Officer at the Police District Station where your business is located. Look up your local SFPD District Station and contact info on this map.

[  ] If an Entertainment Commission Sound Inspector visits your business, allow them to enter your building/premises. Allow them to take any photos or sound meter readings if necessary. Make sure all staff know this rule, especially those working the door. 

A Sound Inspector may visit your business in response to a neighbor complaint or for a routine compliance check (typically once per year). This is not ‘punishment’ or ‘gotcha!’ The Sound Inspector is there to assess the situation, help your business identify any issues with the entertainment/amplified sound operations, and work with you to find solutions to help bring your business into compliance.

[  ] Reminder for Businesses with Outdoor Spaces: Hosting music or amplified sound at an outdoor space - like a private patio, rooftop patio, parklet, or sidewalk dining area - requires a permit from the Entertainment Commission. 

Your business might be eligible to get a “permanent” entertainment permit for the outdoor premises, depending on zoning rules, or you can apply for a One Time Outdoor Event permit.

[  ] A DJ is considered entertainment and requires an entertainment permit whether it is an analog or digital performance. 

For Indoors: Pre-recorded streaming music, like Spotify, Pandora, or other streaming services, a jukebox, and film/television screening is not considered entertainment.

For Outdoors: Outdoor amplified sound activity requires an entertainment permit, whether or not there is a performance or entertainment.

[  ] If there are significant sound system or programming changes at your business, let the Entertainment Commission know. We might need to give you a new sound limit. 

For example, if you added more or larger speakers, or changed the configuration of your speakers, contact us.

Or, if you originally hosted DJs for example but are now starting to host bands with drums and bass, contact us. We’d be happy to come out and reassess your sound limit with your current configuration.

[  ] If there is an ownership change, let us know and we will help you through the ownership change process for your permit.

The sooner the better! This way we can close out your entertainment license & if the new owner plans to host entertainment, we may be able to grant them a Temporary 90-day permit so they can continue programming while awaiting their own brick and mortar permit.

[  ]  If you want to extend the hours of entertainment beyond your permit’s approved end time on a temporary basis, you can apply for a One Time Indoor Event or One Time Outdoor Event permit from the Entertainment Commission for those additional hours.

For Temporary Events (One Time Events)

[  ] Read your entertainment permit. Know your permit conditions and make sure your event is complying with the permit conditions. 

Know your sound limit and sound monitoring techniques. Please refer to our Sound Monitoring Guide for monitoring processes. Know your approved dates and hours of activity.

[  ] Make sure your entertainment permit is accessible at all times at the event. Have it printed out or saved on your smart phone or tablet.

[  ] Within 24 hours of any violent incident, or any time SFPD responds to a call for service at the premises, permit holder shall complete and send an incident report to (1) their SFPD District Station Permit Officer and (2) the Entertainment Commission. Download the Incident Report Form.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Then fill out the Incident Report Form and email it to us at Entertainment.Enforcement@sfgov.org and the Permit Officer at the Police District Station where your business is located. Look up your local SFPD District Station and contact info on this map.

[  ] If an Entertainment Commission Sound Inspector visits your special event, allow them to enter your event premises. Allow them to take any photos or sound meter readings if necessary. Make sure all staff know this rule, especially those working the entrances/gates. 

A Sound Inspector may visit your special event in response to a neighbor complaint or for a routine compliance check (once a year for recurring events.) This is not ‘punishment’ or ‘gotcha!’ The Sound Inspector is there to assess the situation, help you identify any issues with the entertainment/amplified sound operations, and work with you to find solutions to help bring your event into compliance.

[  ] A DJ is considered entertainment and requires an entertainment permit whether it is an analog or digital performance. 

Indoor Events: Pre-recorded streaming music, like Spotify, Pandora, or other streaming services, a jukebox, and film/television screening are not considered entertainment.

Outdoors Events: Outdoor amplified sound activity requires an entertainment permit, whether or not there is a performance or entertainment.

[  ] If you want to extend your existing One Time Outdoor Event permit’s dates and hours, you will need to first make sure you have the City property permit (e.g., SFMTA street closure permit) or private property approval that covers those additional dates and hours. 

If you are required to get a new City property permit, then you will need to apply for a new One Time Outdoor Event permit after you receive the new City property permit.

If you already have the City property permit for the extended dates and hours, and you just want to revise your issued One Time Outdoor Event permit, contact us to request an amendment to your existing permit.