The Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) is the City of Sacramento form for requesting a 2-Year Entertainment Permit (new or renewal) or a Special Entertainment Permit, handled by the city's Code Compliance Division. If you searched for a Sacramento business license, note that this form asks for an entertainment permit and requires a City of Sacramento Business Operation Tax (BOT) certificate to be submitted with it. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the City of Sacramento at the official link.
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What is Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) – Sacramento, CA?
The Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) is the City of Sacramento form that a business or event organizer completes to ask for an entertainment permit: a 2-Year Entertainment Permit, new or renewal, or a Special Entertainment Permit for an event.
The form is headed by the Code Compliance Division's Business Compliance Unit and lists the Entertainment Permit Program as the contact for the permit. It collects business or event details, the proposed entertainment (live music, DJ, dancing, karaoke, comedy or other), age limits, business type, alcohol service, the days and hours of entertainment, site specifications, manager information, written consent from the property owner, and the applicant's agreement and signature.
The form states that it is only an application and not a guaranteed permit. It also states that it is unlawful to provide or permit entertainment open to the public without an Entertainment Permit, unless exempt under Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.040. If a permit is approved, the City Manager may impose conditions such as days, hours and location, the number and age of persons allowed, and a minimum number of security guards.
Non-refundable application fees apply, with separate fees for a new 2-Year permit, a renewal and a Special permit. The form also lists a non-refundable per-person fingerprinting fee and a permit modification fee; the current amounts are printed on the form.
Who needs to file Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) – Sacramento, CA?
The permit is issued in the name of an owner, partner, corporate shareholder, officer or director of the business, who becomes the permit holder of record, responsible and liable for entertainment operations. If approved, the applicant and any co-applicant listed on the form are identified as the permit holders.
Use this application if you:
- plan a business that offers entertainment open to the public and needs a 2-Year Entertainment Permit (check New);
- hold a 2-Year permit and are renewing it (check Renewal) or need to add or delete managers;
- are organizing a one-time event and need a Special Entertainment Permit (check Special).
Other people involved must also act:
- The property owner, or a representative authorized by the owner, must sign the consent section. The form says applications will not be accepted or processed without signed property owner consent.
- Managers are listed on the form. A responsible person, as defined in Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.020, must be present whenever the establishment is open and offering entertainment, and all managers must pass a background check.
The signer states that they are authorized by the business to submit the application on its behalf. Activities exempt under Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.040 do not require a permit; the form refers you to that section.
When to file Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) – Sacramento, CA
Submit the application before you provide any entertainment open to the public: the form states that doing so without an Entertainment Permit is unlawful unless an exemption under Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.040 applies. It prints no separate filing deadline.
Which type you request sets the timing. A 2-Year permit (new or renewal) covers the days of the week and hours of entertainment you list in the Biennial (2-Year) Permit Information section. A Special Entertainment Permit covers the event date(s) and event hours you enter, with a copy of the event flyer attached.
The form warns that spending on remodeling, equipment, booking entertainment or signing agreements or leases before approval is at your own risk. It also says the premises are inspected for life safety and zoning code compliance before an application is deemed complete, so the application is not finished until that review and the required attachments are in.
Documents you need
- Business Operations Tax (BOT) certificate: attach to the application; the form says it must be submitted before the application is deemed complete.
- Copy of the alcohol license and its conditions: attach only if the business will serve alcohol (the form refers to the State of California Alcohol Beverage Control license).
- Copy of the event flyer: attach for a Special Entertainment Permit.
- Scaled floor plan (1/4" or 1/8" scale): required for new and special permits, one 8.5" x 11" sheet per level, showing seating, bar, chairs and tables, restrooms, kitchen if applicable, and all entrances and exits.
- Copies of issued permits: attach if there are open Planning or Building permits for the property with the Community Development Department, with a description of the work and the permit numbers.
- Signed property owner consent: completed on the form by the owner or an authorized representative; applications are not accepted or processed without it.
- Manager Information Supplemental form: use it for additional manager names beyond those that fit on the form.
- Renewals only: the floor plan on file counts if it has not changed and there are no open planning or building permits; otherwise provide the updated information.
How to fill out Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) – Sacramento, CA
Select the permit type and date
At the top of the Business Information section, enter the date and check Special, New or Renewal. For a renewal, enter the Permit No.
Enter the business or event details
Fill in the Business/Event Name, Business/Event Address, Business Mailing Address, website, phone and the Business Operations Tax Cert. #, and attach the certificate.
Describe the entertainment and operations
Enter the estimated maximum occupancy (interior and exterior), check the proposed entertainment, age limits and business type, and answer whether alcohol will be served. If yes, enter the license type and number and attach the license and conditions.
Enter the schedule
For a 2-Year permit, check the days of the week and enter the hours of entertainment from and to. For a Special Entertainment Permit, enter the event date(s) and hours and attach the event flyer.
Complete the applicant information
Enter the name, title or position, mailing address, city, state and ZIP, email and phone numbers of the applicant and, if any, the co-applicant. These are the people identified as permit holders if the permit is approved.
Fill in the site specifications
Renewals answer whether the floor plan on file is unchanged with no open permits. New and special permits attach the scaled floor plan and enter gross square footage, parking spaces on-site and off-site, and any off-site dedicated parking locations.
Answer the open permits question
Check Yes or No for open Planning or Building permits with the Community Development Department. If yes, describe the work, list the permit numbers and attach copies of issued permits.
List the managers
Enter each manager's name, email and phone, check Add or Delete, and say whether the person is on another active entertainment permit and at which venue. Use the Manager Information Supplemental form for more names.
Get the property owner's consent
Enter the property owner's name, mailing address, email and phone. The owner or an authorized representative prints their name, signs and dates the consent.
Initial the rules and regulations
Read the rules and regulations and enter your initial(s) in the INITIAL(S) column next to each statement.
Sign the agreement
Print the applicant's and co-applicant's names, then sign and date in the Agreement and Signature section.
Review, download and assemble
Check every entry and the attachments for your permit type, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and deliver it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Entertainment Permit Application (Part A) – Sacramento, CA
The form prints contact points rather than a delivery address, so confirm with the city how to deliver the completed application:
- Entertainment Permit Program: 916-808-3535, fax 916-808-6833, email [email protected], website https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/entertainpermit.
- Business Compliance Unit (Code Compliance Division): main phone (916) 808-8038, email [email protected].
- Permit Service Counter: the city's Code Compliance forms page says forms are available online and at the counter, and gives (916) 264-5011 if you cannot find the form you need.
Include every attachment that applies to your permit type (see the list of required documents). The form says the application is not accepted or processed without signed property owner consent, and that the BOT certificate and, if alcohol is served, the ABC license and conditions are needed before it is deemed complete.
Fees apply and are non-refundable. The form does not say how they are paid, so ask the Entertainment Permit Program. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the city's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting without the signed property owner consent; the form says the application will not be accepted or processed without it.
- Leaving out the Business Operations Tax certificate, which must be submitted with the application before it is deemed complete.
- Serving alcohol but not attaching a copy of the license and its conditions.
- Sending a new or special permit application without a scaled floor plan that shows seating, restrooms, kitchen and all entrances and exits.
- Filing a Special Entertainment Permit application without a copy of the event flyer.
- Listing a manager without paying the fees owed, or forgetting that all managers must pass a background check.
- Naming an applicant who is not an owner, partner, corporate shareholder, officer or director as the permit holder of record.
- Spending on remodeling, equipment, bookings or leases before approval, or treating staff comments and inspection as approval; the form says neither is approval.
- Providing entertainment open to the public before a permit is issued, or trying to transfer an issued permit to another person or location.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Entertainment Permit Application (Part A)?
It is the City of Sacramento form for requesting an entertainment permit: a 2-Year Entertainment Permit (new or renewal) or a Special Entertainment Permit for an event. The form states it is only an application, not a guaranteed permit.
Is this form a Sacramento business license?
No. This form applies for an entertainment permit. It also requires a City of Sacramento Business Operation Tax (BOT) certificate to be submitted with the application before it is deemed complete.
Who can be the applicant on the entertainment permit?
The permit is issued in the name of an owner, partner, corporate shareholder, officer or director, who becomes the permit holder of record, responsible and liable for entertainment operations. A co-applicant can be listed too, and both sign the agreement.
What do I need to attach to the application?
Attach the BOT certificate, an alcohol license copy with conditions if alcohol is served, an event flyer for a special permit, a scaled floor plan for new or special permits, and copies of issued permits if any are open. Signed property owner consent is also required.
Are the entertainment permit fees refundable?
No. The form says application fees are non-refundable and lists separate fees for a new 2-Year permit, a renewal and a Special permit, plus fingerprinting and permit modification fees. The amounts are printed on the form; ask the Entertainment Permit Program at 916-808-3535 about payment.
Do managers need a background check?
Yes. The form says all managers must pass a background check, and that fees must be paid for any manager not currently listed on an active entertainment permit. A responsible person must also be present whenever entertainment is offered.
Do I need the property owner's permission?
Yes. Written consent from the property owner, signed by the owner or an authorized representative, must be provided. The form says applications will not be accepted or processed without it.
Where do I send the completed application?
The form prints no mailing address. Contact the Entertainment Permit Program at 916-808-3535 or [email protected], or the Business Compliance Unit at (916) 808-8038, to confirm how to deliver it.
Can I fill out this form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service: it does not submit the application, issue permits or collect fees, and you deliver the form through the city's channels.
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