Provide entertainment or amplified sound in an outdoor space

To hold outdoor entertainment or amplified sound you must follow City health guidelines and provide documents based on your location and type of activity.

Here are examples of what needs this permit:

• Live music like a band or DJ
• Theater, comedy or dance performance
• Fashion show
• Amplified speech
• Amplified sound without a performer, like pre-recorded music or sound on a patio
• Film/TV screening with amplified sound

This permit is not for street performers or buskers. If you are a musician or performer, you may partner with a business to host your performance, but that business must be the one to apply for the JAM permit. 

You don’t need this permit if you already have approval to host outdoor entertainment at a permitted Place of Entertainment (POE) or Limited Live Performance (LLP) premises.

This permit is not for activity on SF Recreation and Parks Department or National Park Service property. Submit your request to them directly. 

A Just Add Music (JAM) permit can only be approved as a part of these activities:

• Outdoor dining - Suspended.
• Outdoor gatherings - Suspended In Part. Gathering with people from other households is prohibited. Outdoor gatherings away from home with people from the same household are limited to 12 people total or 6 people if eating or drinking. Religious service gatherings and political protest gatherings are allowed up to 200 people. 
• Farmers' markets
• Drive-in gatherings - Suspended.
• Outdoor fitness classes (amplified sound only, no live entertainment) - Reduced Capacity: Limited to 12 people including staff.
• Outdoor retail pickup (amplified sound only, no live entertainment) - Curbside Pick-Up Only.
• Outdoor live streaming performance
• Higher education classes (amplified sound only, no live entertainment - Suspended In Part. If the class or training is for essential work and it cannot be taught remotely, in-person is allowed.  

Everyone at the outdoor location must follow all of the City’s safety guidelines according to the activity:
 

• Outdoor dining guidance - See Step 1
• Outdoor gatherings guidance and how to have safer outdoor gatherings - See Step 1 
• Farmers’ markets guidance
• Outdoor fitness classes guidance - See Step 1 
• Drive-in gatherings guidance - See Step 1 
• Outdoor retail pick up guidance - See Step 1 
• Outdoor live streaming performance guidance
  • 12 people maximum. No in-person audience is allowed. Must be closed to the public.
• Higher education classes guidance - See Step 1 

Rules for performers

• No singing, shouting, or playing wind or brass instruments, except for a religious service or political protest. In those cases, only one performer may sing, shout, or play wind or brass instruments at any given time. That performer must stay at least 12 feet away from any other person. For more details on rules for performers, including a requirement to cover the bell or holes of wind instruments, view Gathering Tips.
• All performers, staff, and patrons have to wear face coverings.
• Each performer must fit in the performance area and keep a distance of at least 6-feet from other people. If any performer is on the sidewalk, make sure they are at least 6 feet from the sidewalk path of travel, and there is a clear 6 foot path of travel on the sidewalk for pedestrians. 

Rules for amplified sound

• You are allowed up to 6 hours per day, including soundcheck.
• You can’t play outdoor sound equipment before 9 am or after 10 pm.
• You will need to follow the approved sound limit.

Accessibility rules

• Follow accessibility rules to use the sidewalk or parking lane for your business
• Remove or cover up any trip hazards, like wires.

Tips to prevent crowds

• Ask people who are forming groups or crowds to stop and follow physical distancing guidelines.
• Keep the area of your activity clean, and revise to-go services and line practices to discourage loitering. 
• Call 311 if you need help.

You must get one of these permits depending on where you want to offer entertainment or amplified sound.

• To use a City sidewalk, parking lane or street, you need a Shared Spaces Permit. You may also use an existing Café Tables and Chairs Permit for a sidewalk or a Parklet Permit from Public Works.
   
• For private outdoor business property, like a parking lot, patio, rooftop, or yard, you need a Shared Spaces Permit for private property. If your business had approval from the Planning Department to use your private outdoor property before the pandemic (for example, for outdoor dining), then you don’t need a Shared Spaces permit.
   
• If you want to use Port of SF or Treasure Island property, you need a permit from them.

We will ask you to upload a copy of your permit in the application form, except if you have a Shared Spaces permit (we don't need a copy of that permit). 

Read the Regional Stay Home Order before applying to see if your entertainment is a part of an allowed activity.  

In the application, you will need to agree to rules and responsibilities.

It will take about 30 minutes.

We will send you a confirmation email and information about what to do next.

You will need to follow the health and safety plan for your activity as well as a social distancing protocol. 

You will have to post the forms at your location in a visible place.

• Health and safety plan depending on your activity
  • Outdoor dining plan
  • Outdoor gatherings plan
  • Farmers’ markets plan
  • Outdoor fitness classes plan (considered outdoor gatherings)
  • Drive-in gatherings plan
  • Outdoor retail pick-up plan
  • Outdoor live streaming performance plan (pages 13-14)
  • Higher education classes plan (page 12)
     
• Social distancing protocol

A decision letter will be sent to your email address in 7-14 business days. If we need more information from you, we will reach out using the contact information you provided.

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