Provide entertainment or amplified sound in an outdoor space

The JAM or “Just Add Music” Permit pandemic program ends on March 31, 2023. Starting April 1, 2023, no more JAM Permits will be issued. See below for grace period information. 

For a temporary outdoor event taking place after March 31, 2023, apply for the Entertainment Commission's One Time Outdoor Event Permit at https://sf.gov/get-entertainment-permit-your-outdoor-event. In one application, you may request multiple dates for a single location.

 

Grace Period for Existing JAM Permits

If you have an existing JAM Permit with ongoing entertainment/amplified sound (daily, weekly or recurring), please be aware of the following grace periods where you may continue to operate your JAM Permit, depending on your property type:

• For JAMs in Pandemic Shared Space Parklets: Starting April 1, 2023, there will be a 180 day grace period. Grace period ends on September 27, 2023. To be eligible for this grace period, you must have already submitted your Shared Space Legislated Permit application by March 31, 2023.
   
• For JAMs on Private Property: Starting April 1, 2023, there will be a 60 day grace period. Grace period ends on May 30, 2023.
   
• For JAMs in Shared Space Roadway Closures: Starting April 1, 2023, there will be a 60 day grace period. Grace period ends on May 30, 2023.

Note: the JAM Permit becomes invalid if you no longer have approval from the City department to use the outdoor property. 

 

Businesses that Want to Host Ongoing Outdoor Entertainment

Before you can begin the application process for an Entertainment Commission “Brick and Mortar” permit for your business’s outdoor space, you need to have permission to use the outdoor property from the appropriate City agency. Examples include, but are not limited to, a Shared Space Legislated Permit for a parklet, an authorization from SF Planning for private property, or a Café Tables and Chairs permit for the sidewalk from SF Department of Public Works.

Refer to the Entertainment Commission’s “Brick and Mortar” permits section at SF.gov/EntertainmentCommission to see which permit might be appropriate for your business. Go to each permit’s page to learn about eligibility and the application steps.

A Note Regarding Parklets: The deadline to apply for a Shared Space Legislated Parklet Permit is March 31, 2023; no applications received after that date may be eligible for the Legislated Parklet Permit. Learn more at the Shared Spaces Permit Transition timeline: https://sf.gov/step-by-step/shared-spaces-permit-transition-timeline. Contact sharedspaces@sfgov.org with any questions.

Questions?

For Entertainment Permits: Entertainment Commission entertainment.commission@sfgov.org, 628-652-6030

For Shared Spaces Permits: Shared Spaces Program sharedspaces@sfgov.org

For Roadway Closures: SFMTA sharedspaces@sfmta.com

For Use of the Sidewalk: SF Dept. of Public Works sharedspacespermit@sfdpw.org