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SITE NAVIGATION

Entertainment Services Division

Entertainment Permits

Entertainment Services Division

Entertainment Permits

open_in_full

The City of Sacramento encourages the development of arts and culture in order to provide rich and diverse cultural experiences for the City's residents and its visitors. For venues that provide ongoing entertainment, they are required to obtain a two-year entertainment permit.

The permit evaluates the conditions necessary for a venue to provide entertainment (live music, DJ, etc.) During the permit process, staff will inspect the venue for state and city building codes, fire, plumbing, electrical codes, and zoning regulations and will identify corrections which must be addressed prior to permit issuance.

There are three entertainment permits: 1) for ongoing entertainment at a venue, you need a two-year General Entertainment permit, or 2) for one-time events, you need a Temporary Entertainment permit. (For temporary entertainment permits, please allow enough time in advance of the event for review, inspection and possible re-inspection) and 3) for businesses where entertainment acts as a secondary operation, you may qualify for a Limited Entertainment Permit.

*Now available*: The new Limited Entertainment Permit is a new permit type option for businesses where entertainment is not their main function and acts as a secondary operation. Examples of this include coffee shops, restaurants, brewery/wine bar, etc.

The program requirements include:

Entertainment acts as a secondary operation to the primary use of the property
Occupancy of 299 or less
Entertainment ends at 10:00 pm on weeknights and 11:00 pm on weekends

Do I need a permit?

An Entertainment Permit is required for entertainment that is open to the public and held on private property in Sacramento, such as a music venue, restaurant, nightclub, etc. Entertainment includes live music, DJ’s, karaoke, and comedy shows, to name a few.

How to apply

1. Please read the Entertainment Permit Instructions for information on the application process.

2. Please complete the appropriate application for the type of entertainment permit:

a. General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application (New and Renewal)

b. Limited Entertainment Permit Application (New and Renewal)

3. Contact staff via e-mail to submit an application or call (916) 808-3535 to schedule an application intake appointment.

4. Required application documents include:

Entertainment Permit Application (with property owner signature)
Current City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate
Current State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license (if applicable)
All applicable fees

Requirements and guidelines

Live Scan/Fingerprinting Requirement

All Entertainment Permit/Temporary Entertainment Applicants, Co-Applicants and Managers must complete a live scan with the Sacramento Police Department. Please see the Entertainment Permit – Live Scan Process instructions for more information.

After the permit application is submitted and fees are paid, applicants will be directed to contact the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-0780 to schedule an appointment for a live scan. SPD Permit Application (SPD 384) and Applicant’s Descriptive Information (SPD 950) forms and copy of receipt must be provided to the Sacramento Police Department for processing.

Live scan results may take up to four to six weeks.
Live scan must be completed and approved before an application can be deemed complete.
The application permit may be denied if applicant fails live scan clearance in accordance with the Sacramento City Code.

Inspection Requirement

All entertainment permit applications require on-site inspection by City staff to ensure compliance with City code. The required inspections vary depending on type of permit, which may include: Building/Life Safety, Electrical, Plumbing/Mechanical, and Fire. Please refer to the Entertainment Permit Instructions document for details and additional fees.

For current permit holders:

Manager modifications: Submit Entertainment Permit Manager Listing with proposed or deleted managers and signed by the Permit Holder to modify managers listed on an Entertainment Permit. Please see the Manager Update Instructions for more information. For managers who are not listed on a current entertainment permit, the Live scan fee of $88.00 per person is required.
Change existing permit conditions: Complete the Entertainment Permit Modifications Form and submit it to the staff. Various City departments will be checking for life safety issues and will provide recommendations for your modification request. All requests are subject to City approval.

Fees

All fees are due when the application is submitted. Applications without all appropriate fees will not be accepted or processed. Fees are non-refundable.

General Entertainment permit (2-Year) - New application: $2,230.00

General Entertainment permit (2-Year) - Renewal application: $1,720.00

Temporary Entertainment Permit application: $1,820.00

Limited Entertainment Permit (2-Year) – New application: $750.00

Limited Entertainment Permit (2-Year) – Renewal application: $650.00

Permit modification fee (First request is free): $120.00

Live Scan/fingerprinting fee (Applicant, Co-Applicants, Managers): $88.00 (per individual)

Processing time

The city shall either approve or deny the Entertainment Permit application within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the complete application (including related documentation and approvals) and fees. Submission of an application is not a guaranteed permit. An application is deemed completed when all the required application information and support documentation has been submitted and accepted. Failure to submit the information as required could result in the application being deemed incomplete and subject to denial.

Helpful resources

FAQs

Applicants should read Chapter 5.108 of the Sacramento City Code related to Entertainment Establishments.
It is unlawful for any person to provide or permit any entertainment that is open to the public without an Entertainment Permit unless exempt pursuant to Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.040 (Exemption from the Permit Requirement).
Entertainment Permits are the property of the city and may not be transferred.
Biennial (2-Year) Entertainment Permits are renewed in accordance with the Sacramento City Code. The permittee is responsible for submitting renewal application prior to permit expiration. The city may approve extending the permit by an additional two years.
Fire Department Inspection Resources

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