SERVICIO
Get a Fixed Place Outdoor Amplified Sound permit for your business
You need a permit if you want to host outdoor amplified sound on a regular basis with no live performer at your business.
Qué saber
Costo
$821 application fee
$345 annual license fee
$279 amendment fee
¿Qué hacer?
About Fixed Place Outdoor Amplified Sound (FPAS) permits
You need a Fixed Place Outdoor Amplified Sound (FPAS) permit if you want to have amplified sound outdoors on a regular basis with no live performer.
An example is pre-recorded music, like a song playlist or a TV set, on a patio or parklet.
Outdoor amplified sound may not start before 9am or go past 10pm.
1. Check to see if you can apply
Email our Deputy Director at kaitlyn.azevedo@sfgov.org to find out if you can get a permit for your location, depending on zoning rules.
Include the following information in your email:
- Your business name
- Your business address
- Your contact info
- Types of amplified sound
- Proposed days and hours of amplified sound, including the start time and end time
Wait for further instructions telling you if you can apply.
2. Submit your application
You must email us before you apply. And you may be required to visit the Planning Information Counter and fill out the Planning affidavit form before completing the application. We will give you instructions on how to fill out the form in the email.
Get your documents ready
We will ask you for:
- Your Business Account Number
- Contact information for all business owners that own 10% or more of the business
You may need to include these documents in your application:
- A diagram showing where speakers are located
- Liquor license, if applicable
- Health Permit from the SF Department of Public Health, if applicable
Applying does not guarantee you will get a permit. We will contact you if there is an issue with your application. For example, if you have a conviction history, we may ask you to provide more information about it
3. Attend a meeting
You'll meet with our Deputy Director. At this in-take meeting we will review the application in full with you and go over the next steps.
4. Pay the application fee
Pay online with a credit card or electronic check.
You can also pay by check or money order. Make payable to “City and County of San Francisco.”
We collect your permit application fee. Fees are updated every July.
The Treasurer and Tax Collector bills you separately for the annual license fee.
5. Let your neighbors know
We send your application packet to City departments for their review and approval. These include the Planning Department, Police Department, and any other relevant City departments, depending on the permit you are applying for.
The Entertainment Commission will schedule a hearing date. The Commission meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.
You will need to do outreach to your neighbors as discussed at your in-take meeting and post our yellow public notice at your location for 30 days.
6. Schedule any required inspections
An inspection from other departments may be required. You will be given instructions at your in-take meeting.
7. Attend the hearing
You will need to attend a public hearing.
Commissioners may ask you questions about your plans at the hearing. They will vote on whether to approve your permit.
If you still have inspections that need to happen, you must pass those inspections before receiving the permit.
8. Post your permit
We will email you a PDF of your permit.
You must post it at your business location. Then you can begin holding the activity that the entertainment permit allows.
Renew your entertainment permit every year by paying the annual license fee to the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Obtener ayuda
Suite 1482
San Francisco, CA 94103
Obtener direcciones
Kaitlyn Azevedo, Deputy Director
kaitlyn.azevedo@sfgov.orgAgencias asociadas
Qué saber
Costo
$821 application fee
$345 annual license fee
$279 amendment fee
¿Qué hacer?
About Fixed Place Outdoor Amplified Sound (FPAS) permits
You need a Fixed Place Outdoor Amplified Sound (FPAS) permit if you want to have amplified sound outdoors on a regular basis with no live performer.
An example is pre-recorded music, like a song playlist or a TV set, on a patio or parklet.
Outdoor amplified sound may not start before 9am or go past 10pm.
1. Check to see if you can apply
Email our Deputy Director at kaitlyn.azevedo@sfgov.org to find out if you can get a permit for your location, depending on zoning rules.
Include the following information in your email:
- Your business name
- Your business address
- Your contact info
- Types of amplified sound
- Proposed days and hours of amplified sound, including the start time and end time
Wait for further instructions telling you if you can apply.
2. Submit your application
You must email us before you apply. And you may be required to visit the Planning Information Counter and fill out the Planning affidavit form before completing the application. We will give you instructions on how to fill out the form in the email.
Get your documents ready
We will ask you for:
- Your Business Account Number
- Contact information for all business owners that own 10% or more of the business
You may need to include these documents in your application:
- A diagram showing where speakers are located
- Liquor license, if applicable
- Health Permit from the SF Department of Public Health, if applicable
Applying does not guarantee you will get a permit. We will contact you if there is an issue with your application. For example, if you have a conviction history, we may ask you to provide more information about it
3. Attend a meeting
You'll meet with our Deputy Director. At this in-take meeting we will review the application in full with you and go over the next steps.
4. Pay the application fee
Pay online with a credit card or electronic check.
You can also pay by check or money order. Make payable to “City and County of San Francisco.”
We collect your permit application fee. Fees are updated every July.
The Treasurer and Tax Collector bills you separately for the annual license fee.
5. Let your neighbors know
We send your application packet to City departments for their review and approval. These include the Planning Department, Police Department, and any other relevant City departments, depending on the permit you are applying for.
The Entertainment Commission will schedule a hearing date. The Commission meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.
You will need to do outreach to your neighbors as discussed at your in-take meeting and post our yellow public notice at your location for 30 days.
6. Schedule any required inspections
An inspection from other departments may be required. You will be given instructions at your in-take meeting.
7. Attend the hearing
You will need to attend a public hearing.
Commissioners may ask you questions about your plans at the hearing. They will vote on whether to approve your permit.
If you still have inspections that need to happen, you must pass those inspections before receiving the permit.
8. Post your permit
We will email you a PDF of your permit.
You must post it at your business location. Then you can begin holding the activity that the entertainment permit allows.
Renew your entertainment permit every year by paying the annual license fee to the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Obtener ayuda
Suite 1482
San Francisco, CA 94103
Obtener direcciones
Kaitlyn Azevedo, Deputy Director
kaitlyn.azevedo@sfgov.org