Guía de planificación y permisos para eventos al aire libre en San Francisco

The SF Outdoor Event Planning & Permitting Guide assists event organizers with navigating the rules, permit processes, and agencies that affect outdoor events, and shares best practices to help them achieve successful outcomes.

San Francisco has a world renowned legacy of hosting a wide range of outdoor events that celebrate its rich history and its diverse and dynamic communities.

So you want to put on an outdoor special event in San Francisco? Terrific!

In the early planning stages, identify the permits, approvals, and costs that are associated with your event.

Step by step.

What a parade is, applying for a permit, and street cleanup.

If you are planning on organizing a march or rally, notify the Special Event Sergeant at the Local Police District Station where the event begins.

From 6 months before to after the event.

A reference of possible or common permits, licenses, or additional approvals that may be required for an outdoor special event. Not all events will require all of these permits, licenses, or approvals.

Contact information may change.

The Event Sponsor has the responsibility to ensure a safe and secure environment for the event.

Fire code requires the safe installation and use of temporary structures at special events.

If you are expecting 2,500 or more attendees, or if you are planning an athletic or water-based event, you are required by the City and County of San Francisco to have a pre-approved emergency medical plan for your event.

The Event Sponsor is required to plan for the safe arrival and departure of event attendees, participants, and vendors.

All public property, including streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas within the area for which such permission is granted, shall be kept clean and free from trash and debris at all times during the period of such temporary use or occupancy.

As the Event Sponsor, you are required to do meaningful outreach in advance to any neighbors, businesses, and community organizations affected by the event.

Any individual or organization (event sponsor) producing an event is required to obtain a Temporary Event Health Permit from the SF Department of Public Health when they are offering food and/or beverage to the public.

As the Event Sponsor, you and your organization are legally liable for any consumption or possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 at your event.

These licenses authorize the temporary sales of liquor for consumption on the premises at a special event.

The Event Sponsor must develop a plan that limits the impact of event-generated amplified sound on the surrounding neighborhood.

An optional planning tool designed to:

• Help event producers and City employees have a clear mutual understanding of the proposed plans for an outdoor event.
• Be a place to start gathering information and exploring feasibility of doing the event (safety, potential costs, timing of approval process). The producer and City employee can use this tool during their preapplication consultations.
• Empower event producers and City regulators with the knowledge to produce and manage safer, higher quality, and more successful events.

Last updated 7-1-19

Glossary for this guide

If you missed the permit application deadline, refer to the rules regarding late applications.

Examples, templates, etc.

Contact information is subject to change.

Download the complete Guide.