Before you confirm an event location, talk with community stakeholders about what you plan to do and why. Getting support from the surrounding neighborhood (merchant groups, neighbors, cultural district leaders, etc.) prior to the event is important.   

Choosing a viable location for your indoor temporary event is critical to the success of the event.

• Identify a commercial property for your event and get permission to use it from the property owner.
• For an event on public park property, find out about guidelines through SF Recreation and Parks.
• For an event at a Pier or the Ferry Building, find out more about holding special events at the Port of San Francisco.
• If the event involves a street closure or a sidewalk closure (use of extensive sidewalk; not the sidewalk fronting a single commercial storefront), find out about Street and Sidewalk Closures.

To host an event in a commercial space, the commercial space must have the appropriate designated use, or you can apply for a Temporary Use Authorization from the Planning Department.

• A temporary use authorization can activate a commercial space regardless of whether it is vacant or is occupied by a legally established commercial use.
• An event host can apply for a Temporary Use Authorization as an agent of the property owner, or the property owner may apply for the authorization.
• You don’t need a Temporary Use Authorization if the commercial space is already approved for the activity you want to offer. (If you are using a restaurant space, your event can have food preparation; an entertainment venue can host a music event). Check with the Planning Department if you have questions.

Certain activities may require different permits from various departments. It is typically easier to host large gatherings and offer things like food, drinks, and entertainment at locations that already have permits to do those activities. Inquire with the owner or operator of an event space about what permits they already hold for the space.

Food

• If you want to prepare, sell or serve food at a temporary event, you will need to complete a sponsor application from the Department of Public Health, and your vendors will need to permits to sell food at the event. Any caterer must also have a catering license.
• You may hire a permitted food truck to park on public property (like the curb in front of your location) and cater the event. If you do, the food truck is not allowed to conduct cash transactions in the public right-of-way; event participants would need to exchange tokens/tickets for food from the truck.
• It is generally easier and simpler to offer prepackaged food or food service with limited preparation on-site. If food vendors at your event cook with LP-G propane, butane, or open flame at the event, you will need to complete a SFFD sponsor application and an Event Sponsor Acknowledgement Receipt 14 days prior to the event and serve as the point of contact with SFFD.
  • You will need to coordinate an on-site fire inspection on the day of the event.
  • Each food vendor utilizing LP-G propane, butane, or open flame at the event must complete a Vendor Acknowledgement Receipt.

Alcoholic Beverages

• If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages at your event, you will need a permit from the CA Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC):
• You can hire a licensed caterer to serve alcoholic beverages. Check that their license allows them to serve alcohol.
• If the event is hosted by a nonprofit organization, you may also be eligible for a one-day “daily license” to serve alcoholic beverages.
• Your ABC permit will also likely need approval from the Police District Station where the event is located. The Police Department or the ABC may impose conditions on your ability to serve alcohol, including security requirements.

Entertainment

• Many event venues and other businesses have entertainment permits that allow them host live music, DJs, comedy shows or other forms of entertainment, subject to approved conditions (which clarify hours of operation, etc.).
• If your location does not have an entertainment permit or you want to operate beyond the terms of that permit, you will need a one-time event permit from the Entertainment Commission to host live entertainment indoors or entertainment/amplified sound outdoors.

Public Assembly (Hosting more than 49 people)

• If your event will have more than 49 people, the San Francisco Fire Department will require a Place of Assembly Permit and a Fire Watch may need to be hired for event. Many event venues already hold a Place of Assembly permit and are approved to host up to a specific number of attendees at events on their premises.

Other considerations

• Are you putting objects out on your sidewalk? You’ll need to check with Public Works to ensure accessibility, and SFFD to ensure emergency access. To place tables and chairs or display merchandise on the sidewalk, you may register your intent with Public Works. Other items placed on the sidewalk may require a temporary occupancy permit.
• If your event includes the use of LP-G propane or butane, open flame, flammable/combustible liquids, air-inflated structure, or a large tent (over 400 sq. Ft), you will also need an operational permit from the San Francisco Fire Department.
  • Each regulated activity or operation requires a separate fire permit application and permit fee
  • Special events may also require a Supplemental Application for Special Events and an Event Sponsor Acknowledgement Receipt from the San Francisco Fire Department.

• If your event space requires any construction (such as a stage, walls, or other installation), inspectors from the SF Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and the Fire Department will need to review the space.
• Visit the Permit Center at 49 South Van Ness (Permit Center) or email sfosb@sfgov.org to get assistance with scheduling an inspection.
• A permit is not required to install movable cases, counters, and partitions that are under 5 feet 9 inches high.
• If you need a temporary “No Parking” or “No Stopping” zone, SFMTA provides temporary tow-away signs for use during special events.
• Check with SF Environment for detailed information on holding zero-waste events.