REPORT
Fees for outdoor special event permitting
Neighborhood Block Party
This is a small, one-block event on a residential street with no Muni route. Learn how to host a Neighborhood Block Party. The fee is for the application review process. The rate depends on how far in advance you submit your permit application.
Application fees are non-refundable.
| Days until your event | Fee |
|---|---|
90 days or more | $56.00 |
60-89 days | $117.00 |
30-59 days | $240.00 |
City street closure
Apply to SFMTA to close a City street for a special event. Check if you're eligible to be a small community event.
The fee is for the application review process. The rate depends on how far in advance you submit your permit application.
Application fees are non-refundable.
| Days until your event | Regular event | Small community event |
|---|---|---|
120 days or more | $1,280.00 | $160.00 |
90-120 days | $1,601.00 | $160.00 |
60-89 days | $1,921.00 | $266.00 |
30-59 days | $2,347.00 | $320.00 |
Temporary No Parking/Tow away signs
If your event will take place in an area where vehicles park, you will likely need to have “no parking” signs posted by SFMTA.
It is generally one sign per parking space.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
1-4 signs | $343.00 |
5-9 signs | $460.00 |
10-15 signs | $574.00 |
16-21 signs | $690 |
22-28 signs | $802.00 |
29-35 signs | $918.00 |
36-43 signs | $1,034.00 |
44-51 signs | $1,151.00 |
52 or more signs | $20.00 per additional sign |
Self-posting fee | $11.00 per sign |
Late filing fee (less than 14 days before event) | $135.00 |
Transit and traffic management
Traffic control staff
Each event is unique. Staffing needs for traffic control are determined by SFMTA. Most events do not require City traffic control staffing.
| Staff | Hourly rate | When needed |
|---|---|---|
Parking control officer (PCO) | $168.85 per hour, per officer | When the event requires manual traffic control |
Senior PCO supervisor | $201.99 per hour, per supervisor | One for every 7-10 PCOs |
Parking enforcement administrator | $232.96 per hour, per administrator | As needed |
Muni changes
If your event impacts a Muni route, there can be fees to reroute or otherwise change service.
| Item | Fee | What this pays for |
|---|---|---|
Bus substitution | $45.00 per event plus $35 per bus | Switching a diesel bus when an event impacts overhead trolley routes. |
Motorbus | $186.50 per hour | |
Light rail vehicle | $395.50 per train | When we need to run extra trains |
Trolley coach bus | $179.50 per bus | When we need to run extra buses |
Historic streetcar | $231.25 per vehicle | When we need to run extra streetcars |
Field supervisor | $132.03 per hour (4 hour minimum) | When there are Muni re-routes, service impacts, or large attendance |
Fire safety
The Fire Department needs to permit parts of your event for safety. This may include things like tents, cooking, or flame effects, among others. Learn about the Fire Department's temporary outdoor special event permit.
These fees apply to events at the Port as well as on a City street(s).
| Item | Fee | What this pays for |
|---|---|---|
Site plan review | $153.00 per review (2 hour minimum if on-site) | You can request staff from the Fire Department review your site and plans. |
Primary application fee | $436.00 per event | This is the application fee for your event. |
Application fee activity add-ons | $95.00 per activity | You will be charged an additional fee for each activity at your event that impacts fire safety. |
Inspections and Fire Watch
Every event is inspected on-site. Some events will need Fire Department staff on-site for the full duration (Fire Watch). The event organizer must pay this hourly fee.
| 1st 4 hours | Each additional hour |
|---|---|
$656.00 | $164.00 per hour |
Amplified sound or entertainment
The Entertainment Commission issues permits for events with outdoor amplified sound or entertainment.
| Permit name | Fee |
|---|---|
$573.00 application fee | |
$555.00 per 12 hours |
Food & beverage
Each event that has food or beverage needs a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit from the Department of Public Health (DPH).
| Item | Fee | What this pays for |
|---|---|---|
Temporary Food Facility (TFF) sponsor application | $197.00 per event | Review and processing your application |
TFF Late processing fee | 50% additional charge | To process an application less than 14 days before your event. |
Food vendors
Each individual food or beverage vendor must be listed on the TFF permit for the event.
Vendors with an existing annual permit won't be charged a fee, but still need to be listed on the permit.
The vendor fee is based on the type of product(s) and the duration of the event.
High Hazard: cooking, food preparation, food assembling, open food plating, and espresso bars
Low Hazard: Pre-packaged food (with or without sampling) and bars
| Item | Food type | Fee |
Application | High Hazard | $142.00 per vendor application |
Approval/inspection | High Hazard | $125.00 per booth (up to 2 days) |
Additional day(s) | High Hazard | $55.00 per vendor, per day |
Application | Low Hazard | $55.00 per vendor |
Approval/inspection | Low Hazard | $81.00 per vendor |
Additional day(s) | Low Hazard | $37.00 per vendor, per day |
Emergency medical plan review
Required if your event has more than 1000 attendees, more than 100 swimmers, or is required by a permitting agency. Learn how to create and submit an emergency medical plan. This charged fee is per plan. It is due when you submit your plan.
| Attendance | Fee |
|---|---|
Up to 999 | $53 |
1,000-4,999 | $160.00 |
5,000-9,999 | $533.00 |
10,000 or more | $1,065.00 |
Police
Event organizers can hire off-duty SFPD personnel for security, known as 10B.
| Staff | Hourly rate (1st 4 hours) | Each additional hour |
|---|---|---|
Sergeant Daytime, between 6am-6pm | $717.88 | $179.47 |
Officer Daytime, between 6am-6pm | $618.28 | $154.57 |
Sergeant Nighttime, between 6pm-6am | $744.80 | $186.20 |
Officer Nighttime, between 6pm-6am | $641.48 | $160.37 |
Park event
The Recreation & Parks Department manages events in San Francisco's parks. There are a wide range of fees that may apply to park events. The fees below are for the year starting January 1, 2026.
| Fee type | Fee | Nonprofit fee | What it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
Special event application | $85.00 | Non-refundable application fee | |
Amplified sound permit | $743.00 | $103.00 | Permit fee |
Venue for amplified sound | $952.00 | Minimum per venue fee | |
Marathon or race | $.90 per walker $1.79 per runner | For walking and running events through a park | |
Concessions | 5% minimum | Whenever food, alcohol, or merchandise is sold | |
Picnics | Varies | ||
Road closure | $1.79 per attendee | ||
"No parking" signs | $12.00 per space | Plus fees for staff time to print, post, and take down signs |
Amateur arts
The fees below are for amateur art events with no admissions or concessions or need to build a stage.
| Day | Fee |
|---|---|
Weekday | $306.00 per day |
Weekday (2 days in a row) | $509.00 |
Non-holiday weekend | $406.00 per day |
Non-holiday weekend (2 days in a row) | $712.00 |
Holiday weekend (2 days in a row) | $1,018.00 |
Facility rental fees
| Facility | Capacity | Fee | Nonprofit fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Lindley Meadow, Golden Gate Park | 10,000 | $18,076.00 | $9,039.00 |
Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park (Speedway Meadow) | 20,000 | $32,537.00 | $16,269.00 |
Marx Meadow, Golden Gate Park | 2,000 | $4,519.00 | $2,259.00 |
Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park | 15,000 | $21,692.00 | $10,846.00 |
Polo Field, Golden Gate Park | 57,000 | $90,382.00 | $45,191.00 |
Music Concourse Bandshell, Golden Gate Park | 500 | $4,519.00 | $2,259.00 |
Civic Center Plaza | 25,000 | $45,191.00 | $22,595.00 |
Civic Center Plaza, decomposed granite area | 3,000 | $21,599.00 | $10,800.00 |
Embarcadero Plaza | TBD | $12,653.00 | $6,327.00 |
Marina Green East (Big Marina) | 7,500 | $13,558.00 | $6,327.00 |
Marina Green West (Little Marina) | 700 | $1,447.00 | $723.00 |
Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, John McLaren Park | 1,500 | $5,785.00 | $2,892.00 |
Portsmouth Square | 500 | $904.00 | $452.00 |
Union Square | 3,500 | $13,558.00 | $6,778.00 |
Staffing
| Staff | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
Custodian | $85.00 per hour |
Park ranger | $100.00 per hour |
Park supervisor | $124.00 per hour |
Gardener | $100.00 per hour |
Port event
Additional fees may apply depending on number of locations and/or complexity of the event. Additional fees might include restrooms, maintenance, and trash.
The Port also charges 5% of concession sales and 25% of ticket sales.
Please refer to this manual for Port Special Events requirements.
There maybe additional building permits required based on what is being proposed at the event.
Reduced fees
San Francisco-based 501c3 nonprofits may be eligible for 35-50% off their event fees:
- 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.
| Event type | Size | Set-up fee | Event Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Small fee-based classes (not fenced) | Up to 1,600 Sq. Ft. | $50 per 2 hours | |
Longer term fee-based classes (not fenced) | Up to 1,600 Sq. Ft. | $20 per hour (1 hour minimum) | |
Longer term fee-based classes (not fenced) | Up to 1,600 Sq. Ft. | $25 per hour (2 hour minimum) | |
Small athletic event (submitted 120 days before) | Fewer than 2,000 people | $1,850.00 and up | $3,700.00 and up |
Small athletic event (submitted 45 days before) | Fewer than 2,000 people | $2,750.00 and up | $5,500.00 and up |
Medium athletic event (submitted 120 days before) | 2,001-5,000 people | $2,600.00 and up | $5,200.00 and up |
Medium athletic event (submitted 45 days before) | 2,001-5,000 people | $3,750 and up | $7,500 and up |
Extra large athletic event (submitted 120 days before) | More than 5,000 people | $3,200.00 and up | $6,400.00 and up |
Extra large athletic event (submitted 45 days before) | More than 5,000 people | $4,700.00 and up | $9,400.00 and up |
Small free event | 1-50 people or less than 10,000 Sq. Ft. | $250.00-500.00 and up | $500.00-$1,000.00 and up |
Medium free event | 51-100 people, or less than 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $1,500.00 and up | $3,000.00 and up |
Large free event (submitted 120 days before) | 100-400 people or over 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $2,500.00 and up | $5,000.00 and up |
Large free event (submitted 45 days before) | 100-400 people or over 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $3,625.00 and up | $7,250.00 and up |
Extra large free event (submitted 120 days before) | 400 people or more | $3,500.00 and up | $7,000.00 and up |
Extra large free event (submitted 45 days before) | 400 people or more | $5,075.00 and up | $10,150.00 and up |
Small paid event | 1-50 people or less than 10,000 Sq. Ft. | $500.00-1,500.00 and up | $1,000.00-3,000.00 and up |
Medium paid event | 51-100 people, or less than 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $2,000.00-3,000.00 and up | $4,000.00-6,000.00 and up |
Large paid event | 100-400 people or over 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $3,000.00-8,000.00 and up | $6,000.00-8,000.00 and up |
Extra large paid event | 400 people or more | $3,500.00 and up | $7,000.00 and up |
Small corporate/private event | 1-50 people or less than 10,000 Sq. Ft. | $2,000.00 and up | $4,000.00 and up |
Medium corporate/private event | 51-100 people, or less than 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $4,000 and up | $8,000.00 and up |
Large corporate/private event | 100-400 people or over 25,000 Sq. Ft. | $5,000.00 and up | $10,000.00 and up |
Extra large corporate/private event | 400 people or more | $7,500.00 and up | $15,000.00 and up |
Event at Pier 30/32 & Valley | $8,000.00 and up | $25,000.00 and up | |
Fireworks | Any size | $1,100.00 per show |
Cannabis
You can only sell cannabis at certain events. Check if you can sell cannabis at your event.
| Attendance | Fee |
|---|---|
500 or fewer | $500.00 |
501-1,000 | $1,000.00 |
1,001-2,500 | $1,500.00 |
2,500 or more | $3,000.00 |
Other related costs
Recology
Some event organizers will book Recology event services to pick up refuse. The cost will depend on the size of the event and the amount of refuse that it generates.
Clean-up
If you don't clean up the event area, Public Works will charge the event organizer a fee to cover the City's cost to clean up.
We recommend hiring an Event Greener. This can help you avoid fees for contaminated recycling and composting and ensure your event space is left litter-free. Find a list of Event Greeners.
Wastewater
If your event generates wastewater that cannot be discharged at the event site, your may need a batch wastewater discharge permit.
Fire hydrant flushing
If you access a fire hydrant to provide potable water at your event, SFPUC will charge a fee of $798.00.