Close the street to traffic for a regularly recurring activation

We will ask you about: 

• Your contact information 
• Business Account Number (BAN), if you have it
• Location of the proposed activation
• Days and times you want to use the space 
• You should prepare a written description of how you want to use the space and include it with your application:
• A general description of how the space will be used
  • “Run of show” listing the times for set-up, event activities, and breakdown/clean-up.
  • Staffing – for barricades, security, cleaning, etc.
  • Whether there will be any entertainment, music, or amplified sound.
  • If alcohol is being served, details on what is being served, by whom, and what license arrangements will be pursued.
  • Security arrangements – overall security plan, including number of staff assigned to function, and name of security company if applicable.
  • Estimate of attendance and of crowd capacity of space; arrangements for when event nears capacity.
  • Waste management and recycling plan.
  • Proposed outreach plan to inform residents and businesses on the block(s) to be closed, and other impacted stakeholders, of your request to close the street. Outreach is generally best conducted after applying and consultation with ISCOTT/SFMTA Special Events staff, but if some outreach has already been done, describe as part of the event write.
  • You will also need to provide a site plan showing the layout of your activation. the site plan should consist of a to-scale drawing(s) showing the street, sidewalk, stages, booths, fencing, barricades, and any other objects placed within the requested closure area and include the following, as applicable
  • All streets to be closed – accurate and to scale, and including features such as parklets, sidewalk bulb-outs, transit islands, bike share stations, and curb cuts/off-street parking access.
  • Emergency access lane (20 feet minimum; wider may be required) running straight through all closed blocks.
  • All elements for the activation set back at least 20 feet from the curb at either end of each block to be closed.
  • Number and location of booths, with food and/or beverage booths clearly indicated.
  • Stages (with ramps shown) and tents, if any.
  • Beer gardens or other alcohol sales areas, if any.
  • Number, location, and type of recycling and refuse containers.
  • Portable toilets (and hand washing stations), if any, including those which are ADA compliant.
  • Any fencing.
  • Any other physical objects that will be placed on the street or sidewalk.
  • Muni routes, transit shelters and bus stops.
  • Manhole and utility covers in the street.

See site plan guidelines.

It should take about 10 minutes or less to fill out this form.

We will email you in 10 business days to talk about next steps. 

We will tell you if you cannot close the street for your event. 

If your street is a good fit for a Shared Space, we will work together on the next steps. 

If your application is better suited for another type of permit, we will let you know. 

We will work together to complete our process. 

You may need to prepare: 

• Revised site plans
• Additional documentation of neighborhood support from n​​​earby businesses and residents, local merchant or resident associations, or District Supervisor 
• Other permits for certain business activities (see below)

We will work with you to issue a permit and make sure you follow all conditions safety requirements.

You will need to provide insurance documents meeting City Risk Management requirements. SFMTA will arrange for the delivery of barricades for your closure and the installation of “no parking” signs, if needed. You will be responsible for setting up, maintaining and storing the barricades; barricades will have to be stored out of the public right of way when not being actively used to close a block.