Provide entertainment or amplified sound in an outdoor space

Last updated March 30, 2021

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, National Park Service or Presidio Trust 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
• Outdoor bars
• Outdoor arts and music festivals and performances
  • A maximum of 50 people may attend festival or performance with seating. A health and safety plan must be submitted to the SF Dept. of Public Health in advance.
• Outdoor gatherings
  • Outdoor gatherings with no eating/drinking are limited to 25 people and 3 households. If eating or drinking, outdoor gatherings are limited to 6 people and 3 households.
  • Religious service gatherings and political protest gatherings are allowed with no capacity limits. Social distancing is required.
• Farmers' markets or outdoor community markets
• Drive-in gatherings, like a movie or performance. 
• Outdoor fitness (amplified sound only, no live entertainment)
• Outdoor retail pickup (amplified sound only, no live entertainment)
• Outdoor live streaming performance
• Higher education classes (amplified sound only, no live entertainment)

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

• Restaurants and bars guidance
• Outdoor arts and music festivals guidance
• Outdoor gatherings guidance and how to have safer outdoor gatherings
• Farmers’ markets guidance (includes outdoor community markets)
• Outdoor fitness guidance
• Drive-in gatherings guidance
• Outdoor retail pick up guidance
• Higher education classes guidance
• Outdoor live streaming performance guidance
  • No in-person audience is allowed. Must be closed to the public.

Rules for performers outdoors

• Orange Tier Update: Learn more in this presentation from the 3/31/21 Live Performances Webinar 
• When performing outdoors all performers (except vocalists, wind and brass musicians without facial coverings) must always be masked and maintain a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing from other performers and audience members. 
• Singing, chanting, playing wind and brass instruments are now allowed outdoors with the following rules:
  • Outdoor vocalists may perform with or without facial coverings. Outdoor vocalists wearing masks must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from other performers and audience members. While unmasked, outdoor vocalists must maintain at least 12 feet of physical distance from other performers and audience members.
  • Outdoors, wind and brass instrument musicians may perform with or without facial coverings. While masked or with instrument covers outdoors, they must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from other performers and audience members. While unmasked or with uncovered instruments outdoors, they must maintain at least 12 feet of physical distance from other performers and audience members. The bells of instruments must be covered with a mask or other fabric while on stage. Musicians playing a wind or brass instrument must replace their facial covering when they are not actively performing.
  • Refer to the relevant guidance document above for complete rules.
• Audience and staff must wear face coverings. 
• Each performer must fit in the performance area and maintain the required physical distancing from other performers and audience members (see rules above). If any part of the sidewalk is used for a performance, make sure 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). 

In the application, you will need to agree to rules and responsibilities. You will need to give detailed responses to the security plan questions; short, one-sentence answers will not be accepted.

It will take about 30 minutes. We will send you a confirmation email and information about what to do next.

Looking to amend your existing JAM permit? Email us your requested changes at entertainment.commission@sfgov.org. Do not submit a new application. 

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 (for restaurants and bars)
  • Outdoor arts and music festivals plan
  • Outdoor gatherings plan
  • Farmers’ markets plan
  • Outdoor fitness plan (considered outdoor gatherings)
  • Drive-in gatherings plan
  • Outdoor retail pick-up plan
  • Outdoor live streaming performance plan (pages 12-13)
  • Higher education classes plan (page 13)
• 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.