Reduced and waived fee programs for special events

Some organizers of outdoor events that close a street can apply for a permit fee waiver program. This program will run through 2027.

Eligible events

• The event is primarily intended to attract residents and workers from neighboring areas.
• One day only, including set-up and clean-up
• Free and open to the public
• Is either:
  • 3 blocks or less
  • Operates from a central intersection, extending only one block out (a “hub-and-spoke" model)
  • You can’t split larger events into multiple applications
• Takes place within 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM
• Has only 6 hours or less of amplified sound
• As determined by the SFMTA, the event does not:
  • Impact Muni Metro, streetcar or cable car operations
  • Require the rerouting of an SFMTA Rapid Line
  • Require regular buses to substitute out for trolley buses
  • Restrict SFMTA access to rail stations
  • Require SFMTA to shut down electrification of overhead Muni wires
  • Impact major streets
  • Unduly disrupt vehicle or pedestrian traffic

Eligible event organizers

• Nonprofit arts and culture organization that provides programming in San Francisco
• Small business with less than $5 million in annual gross revenue that is located near the event
• An established merchant group, Community Benefit District or resident association for the location of the event
• Note: Homeowners Associations aren’t eligible

Fees waived

• Application, permit, staffing and inspection fees from:
  • SFMTA Special Event
  • Fire Department
  • Police Department
  • Department of Public Health
  • Entertainment Commission

Limits to the fee waiver

• Each applicant is eligible for fee waivers for up to 12 events over the course of the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
• If the location impacts transit, we limit fee waivers to 3 events per fiscal year for all applicants.

Apply for a fee waiver

Submit the fee waiver application form to SFMTA at least 90 days from the event. Then, submit your street closure permit within a week.

Apply for a fee waiver

After applying

SFMTA reviews fee waiver application forms. They will typically confirm your eligibility within a week.

For neighborhood events sponsored by a neighborhood association or Community Benefit District. These events typically have fewer than 200 people, depending on the park.

The Recreation and Parks Department will co-sponsor the event and will waive up to $1,055 in fees.

Rules:

1. To avoid commercialization of event and limit park impact, no:
   1. Vendor sales (exception for branded merchandise relating to the event or event sponsor)
   2. Alcohol sales
2. Food
   1. Food trucks are allowed on the street adjacent to park or on a road in park
3. Recognize and list the Recreation and Parks Department as a co-sponsor.

For events in a city park. To be eligible the event must be in a park in a Designated Equity Zone or a Revitalization Park. It must be sponsored by entity in area, such as a resident's association, Community Benefit District, neighborhood-serving non-profit, or a City entity.

The Recreation and Parks Department will co-sponsor the event and will waive up to $1,055 in fees.

Rules:

1. To avoid commercialization of event and limit park impact, there can be no:
   1. Vendor sales (exception for branded merchandise relating to the event or event sponsor)
   2. Alcohol sales
2. Food Sales
   1. Food trucks are allowed on street adjacent to park or on a road in park
   2. Food vending allowed including BBQ’s
      1. You will need permits from the Fire and Health Departments
3. Can't be on an athletic field

The Entertainment Commission offers fee waivers for its entertainment permits.

Types of fee waivers include:

• A nonprofit organization or neighborhood association that is organizing a free, public event
  • In the entertainment permit application, provide the total proposed event budget, organization’s mission statement, and a description of your organization’s benefit to the community and how the event is free and open to the public.
• An event that has received a grant or funds from a City department
  • In the entertainment permit application, provide documents showing these funds were awarded by the City department, like an official grant award letter or grant agreement, or email confirmation from the City official awarding the grant.

We can consider waiving if they would cause financial hardship. This applies to events organized by an individual who gets public assistance, or if paying the permit fee would not leave the individual event organizer enough money to live on.

San Francisco-based 501c3 nonprofits may be eligible for 35-50% off their event fees from The Port:

• Annual budget of less than $3M: 50% reduction
• Annual budget of $3M or more: 25% reduction

Regulatory permits and cost recovery fees aren't reduced.