Streamlining the Permitting Process for Community Events
SF Beautiful is working to streamline and simplify the permitting process for community groups that want to host events on public land. Currently, a street event application needs to be filed through the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT), a board with representatives from the MTA, DPW, SFPD, SFFD, the Public Health Dept., and the Port of San Francisco.
SFB has developed an index to guide community groups through this complex process. This guide provides an overview of their responsibilities, links to all relevant permit applications and fee structures, and contact information for fielding questions. Now that we’ve completed this guide, we will continue working with the city to streamline the street event permitting process to ensure that our streets can be easily utilized for community activation.
SF Street Event Permitting: A Walkthrough
In our recent general survey, one of the key priorities identified by our respondents was the cost and complexity of the permitting process for street events and block parties.
San Francisco Beautiful decided that the first step towards streamlining this process would be to create a single Walkthrough Guide to help neighborhood groups through the application process and give them a single place to find all the potential permits and contacts necessary for the application process.
Anytime a person or organization would like to close a street or streets in San Francisco for a neighborhood block party, street fair, athletic event, etc., they must apply to the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT), through the offices of the Division of Sustainable Streets in the SF Municipal Transportation Authority. The ISCOTT board is comprised of representatives from the MTA, DPW, SFPD, SFFD, the Public Health Dept., the Entertainment Commission, the Planning Dept., and the Port of San Francisco. At the meeting, each department will evaluate the proposed street event, determine its likely impacts on their departmental responsibilities, propose potential measures or conditions to make the event acceptable, and then approve, disapprove, or postpone the item to let the applicant amend their proposal.
If the request is approved by ISCOTT, then additional permit applications may need to be filed with the SFFD, DPW, the Entertainment Commission, and the Dept. of Public Health, depending upon the scope of the event. Once approved, you will be informed of any additional permits required.
***To prepare your application documents we highly recommend that you contact Cindy Shamban, the contact for all Temporary Street Closure permits, at 415-701-4683 or emailed to Cindy.Shamban@sfmta.com. Cindy is the first person one should talk to if you are planning any kind of street event. Depending on the specificities of your event, different documentation and information may be required. We have tried to provide a strong general outline for the process, but this will not cover all permits and requirements, and should not substitute for calling and confirming your requirements with Cindy before submitting your application.
Application Materials
SFMTA Street Closure App: Here
Sample SFMTA Street Closure Map: Here
Permit Application Walkthrough (Really Excellent): Here
*To ensure the lowest possible permit fees, apply to ISCOTT at least 60 days in advance of your event. For SFMTA’s permit fee structure, see below.
*There may also be charges or fees for the following Departments: Fire, Public Works, Public Health, Police and the Entertainment Commission. Please check with the appropriate agencies after you receive your ruling from ISCOTT.
*Please note that the following walkthrough is for obtaining permits for events on streets and sidewalks. If you are planning an event on any Recreations and Parks Department land, please visit RPD’s permitting and reservation page. Likewise, any event held on SF Port land will likewise go to their application page.
SFMTA STREET CLOSURE PERMIT FEE STRUCTURE
| Street Closure Permit Fee |
|
| Neighborhood Block Party |
|
| At least 60 days in advance |
$154.00 |
| Fewer than 60 days |
$205.00 |
| Fewer than 30 days |
$410.00 |
| Fewer than 7 days |
$461.00 |
| All Other Events |
|
| At least 60 days in advance |
$509.00 |
| Fewer than 60 days |
$617.00 |
| Fewer than 30 days |
$724.00 |
| Fewer than 7 days |
$831.00 |
Potential Auxiliary Permits
Department of Public Works
After your event is approved by ISCOTT you will be informed if you need any permits from DPW.
Unless you are planning on constructing a stage or another large structure, you will most likely not need a permit from DPW. If your event requires a stage or large equipment, you will require a Street Occupancy Permit. The application, contact information, and fee schedule can be found here.
It is encouraged that you call Stacey Lee at DPW before submitting your permit applications to answer any questions. She can be reached at:
Stacey Lee
Main Line: (415) 554-5810
Direct Line: (415) 554-6420
Fax: (415) 554-6161
Email: Stacey.Lee@sfdpw.org
Street Cleaning Requirements
*You will be responsible for cleaning up after your event. If you wish, you may contract with DPW or other cleaning services to take care of your cleaning requirements. For more information contact Cindy Shamban, the contact for all Temporary Street Closure permits, at 415-701-4683 or emailed to Cindy.Shamban@sfmta.com
Intersection Closure: SFMTA
Intersections
If your street event will close any vehicular intersection, it may be required that you pay for Parking Control Officers (PCOs) provided by the city to oversee the flow of traffic. This can be expensive and potentially exclude your event from ISCOTT approval, if your event disrupts a large number of intersections.
*To ensure an inexpensive and easy application process, try to locate your street event as to best minimize the amount of street intersections it disrupts.
MTA Rerouting
If your event will disrupt public transportation routes, there may be additional costs. It is highly encouraged that if possible, you plan your block party or street event in such a way as to avoid closing public transportation routes.
If you have concerns or questions about your location disrupting public transit, please contact Cindy Shamban, the contact for all Temporary Street Closure questions, at 415-701-4683 or emailed to Cindy.Shamban@sfmta.com.
Food and Alcohol
If your event will include the cooking or vending of food, or the sale of alcohol, additional fees and permits may be required. For small events, the simplest way to provide food at an event is through a potluck.
However, if there will be cooking or vending of food at your event, it may potentially require permits from the Department of Public Health and the SF Fire Department
DPH Permits
*After your event receives ISCOTT approval, you will be informed if it requires approval from the Department of Public Health. For DPH information, please contact Alicia Saam at (415) 252-3811 or refer to the their event permitting page and general info site.
SFFD
After your event receives ISCOTT approval, you will be informed if it requires Fire Department approval. Any food vendors or other structures with an open flame or generators will require additional permits by the SF Fire Department. Find these permits here. (Required permits may include an event sponsor acknowledgement form, a vendor acknowledgement form, a primary application, and supplement for special events.
It is encouraged that you contact Ms. Barbara Rooney of the Fire Prevention Bureau with any questions, at (415) 558-3303.
*The completed vendor acknowledgement form, permit application, required documents, and appropriate SFFD fire permit fees must be returned to the Event Sponsor at least (10) business days prior to the event for submission by the Event Sponsor to the SF Fire Dept.
Follow this Link for the SFFD’s permit fee structure.
Alcohol Permits
If your event will include alcohol sales, it must receive authorization from the State Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board. You must be a non-profit organization to receive a one-day ABC license.
* Please note: if alcohol will be served at your event, the likelihood that you will require police presence (which you will be paying for) or greater police presence increases.
An event applicant must submit a Special Event Alcohol Authorization permit and a daily license application. You can find more information and specific permits here.
It is highly recommended that you call the ABC Board at (415) 356-6500 to ensure that your application is sufficient before submitting any permits.
Entertainment Commission
After your event is approved at ISCOTT, you will be informed if it requires any additional permits from the Entertainment Commission.
You can find permits for amplified sound here.
SF Police Department
When planning your event, it is encouraged that you contact the special event contact in your police district to discuss your event before you submit your application to ISCOTT. To find contact info or to learn what district your is located, contact Cindy Shamban at cindy.shamban@sfgov.org. After your event is approved at ISCOTT, you will be informed if it requires any additional staffing from the Police Department.
*Fees: If ISCOTT determines that your event requires police presence, you will be charged hourly for officer time. These costs vary.
