The General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application is the City of Sacramento form, handled through the Entertainment Services office, that venues and event organizers use to apply for an entertainment permit. One form covers a new or renewal two-year General Entertainment Permit and a Temporary Entertainment Permit for a one-time event. It is one of the City of Sacramento forms that sit alongside the Business Operations Tax certificate, which must be attached. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and the permit program are published by the City of Sacramento.
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What is General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application – Sacramento, CA?
The General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application is the City of Sacramento form used to apply for, or renew, a two-year General Entertainment Permit, or to apply for a Temporary Entertainment Permit for a one-time event, for entertainment open to the public on private property.
The form is a three-page application. It collects business and event details, the proposed entertainment (live music, DJ, dancing, karaoke, comedy or other), age limits, alcohol service, the applicant and any co-applicant, site specifications, the managers, the property owner's written consent and the applicant's signed agreement. The permit is issued in the name of an owner, partner, corporate shareholder, officer or director, who is the permit holder of record responsible and liable for entertainment operations.
Completing the form starts a review; it does not grant a permit. City staff inspect the premises, and the City Manager may impose conditions on days, hours, location, number and age of persons and minimum security guards. An issued permit belongs to the city and cannot be transferred to another person or location.
The city's entertainment permit program has a third permit type, the Limited Entertainment Permit, for businesses where entertainment is a secondary operation. It uses its own application, not this form. Current permit holders change managers with the Entertainment Permit Manager Listing and change conditions with the Entertainment Permit Modifications Form.
Who needs to file General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application – Sacramento, CA?
Venues that provide ongoing entertainment open to the public on private property in Sacramento, such as a music venue, restaurant or nightclub, apply for the two-year General Entertainment Permit with this form. Organizers of one-time events apply for the Temporary Entertainment Permit with the same form. Entertainment includes live music, DJs, karaoke and comedy shows, among others.
- Permit holders of record: the permit is issued in the name of the owner, partner, corporate shareholder, officer or director who will be responsible and liable for entertainment operations. A co-applicant may be added.
- Property owners: a signed consent from the property owner, or a person authorized by the owner, is part of the application.
- Managers: each manager listed must pass a background check.
Do not use this form if your business qualifies for the Limited Entertainment Permit: entertainment is a secondary operation, occupancy is 299 or less, and entertainment ends at 10:00 pm on weeknights and 11:00 pm on weekends. That permit has its own application. Entertainment exempt under Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.040 does not need a permit.
When to file General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application – Sacramento, CA
File when you plan to provide entertainment open to the public, before it starts: it is unlawful to provide entertainment open to the public without an entertainment permit unless exempt under Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.040. For a Temporary Entertainment Permit, allow enough time before the event for review, inspection and possible re-inspection.
For a two-year General Entertainment Permit, the permittee is responsible for submitting the renewal application before the permit expires. The city may approve extending the permit by an additional two years.
The city approves or denies an application within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving the complete application, including documentation, approvals and fees. An application is complete only when all required information and supporting documents are submitted and accepted, and the live scan is completed and approved. Live scan results may take up to four to six weeks.
Documents you need
- Current City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate: attach it with the application, which is not complete without it.
- Signed property owner consent: the property owner's signature on page 3; applications are not accepted or processed without it.
- Copy of the State of California ABC license and its conditions: only if alcohol will be served.
- Scaled floor plan for new and temporary permits: one 8.5" x 11" plan per level at 1/4" or 1/8" to the foot, showing seating, restrooms, kitchen and all entrances and exits.
- Copies of issued permits: only if there are open Planning or Building permits for the property with the Community Development Department.
- Copy of the event flyer: only for a Temporary Entertainment Permit.
- Manager Information Supplemental form: only if you list more managers than the application has room for.
- All applicable fees, due when the application is submitted.
- For live scan: SPD Permit Application (SPD 384), Applicant's Descriptive Information (SPD 950) and a copy of the fee receipt, given to the Sacramento Police Department.
How to fill out General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application – Sacramento, CA
Choose permit type and date
In Business Information, enter the date and check Temporary, New or Renewal. For a renewal, enter the Permit No.
Enter business and event details
Fill in Business/Event Name, Business/Event Address, Business Mailing Address, website, Bus. Phone and the Business Operations Tax Cert. # (attach the certificate).
Describe occupancy and entertainment
Enter Estimated Maximum Occupancy (Interior and Exterior). Check the proposed entertainment, age limit (21+, 18+ or Other) and business type. If alcohol will be served, check Yes, enter the license type and number, and attach the license and conditions.
Enter days and hours
For a two-year permit, check the days of the week and enter the entertainment hours. For a temporary permit, enter Event Date(s) and Event Hours and attach the event flyer.
Complete applicant information
List the applicant and any co-applicant with title or position, mailing address, e-mail and phone numbers. These people are identified as the permit holders if approved.
Complete site specifications
Renewals answer whether the floor plan on file is unchanged and no planning or building permits are open. New and temporary permits attach the scaled floor plan and enter gross square footage, parking spaces and any open Planning or Building permits.
List managers
Enter each manager's name, e-mail and phone, check Add or Delete, and say whether the manager is on another active permit. Use the Manager Information Supplemental form for more names.
Obtain property owner consent
Enter the property owner's name, address, e-mail and phone. The owner or an authorized representative prints a name, signs and dates the consent.
Initial the rules and regulations
The applicant(s) initial beside each rules and regulations statement on page 3 after reading them.
Sign the agreement
Print the applicant and co-applicant names, then sign and date in the Agreement and Signature block.
Review and download the PDF
Check every entry and attachment against the list on the form. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application – Sacramento, CA
Submit the application to the Entertainment Services office by e-mail or at an intake appointment.
- E-mail: [email protected]. Contact staff by e-mail to submit the application.
- Appointment: call (916) 808-3535 to schedule an application intake appointment. The office is at Entertainment Services, 915 I St., 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
- Program website: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/entertainpermit.
The package needs the signed application with the property owner's signature, a current City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate, a current State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license if applicable, and all applicable fees. Fees are due when you submit, and applications without all fees are not accepted or processed. Fees are non-refundable; the city's page lists the amounts, and a service fee may apply to credit card payments.
After submission and payment, you are directed to call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-0780 to schedule a live scan. Bring SPD Permit Application (SPD 384), Applicant's Descriptive Information (SPD 950) and a copy of your receipt.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting without the property owner's signed consent; applications without it are not accepted or processed.
- Leaving out the current Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate, which must be submitted before the application is deemed complete.
- Sending the application without all appropriate fees; applications without them are not accepted or processed, and fees are non-refundable.
- Serving alcohol but not attaching the ABC license copy and its conditions.
- Submitting a floor plan that is not scaled or lacks seating, restrooms, kitchen or the main entrance and exit.
- Listing a manager who is not on an active entertainment permit without paying the fee; all managers must pass a background check.
- Using this form for a Limited Entertainment Permit, which has a separate application.
- Letting a two-year permit expire before submitting the renewal; the permittee is responsible for filing before expiration.
- Spending on remodeling, equipment, bookings or leases before approval; the form states this is at the applicant's own risk.
- Leaving the applicant initials blank beside the rules and regulations, or signing without reading Sacramento City Code Section 5.108.
Frequently asked questions
What is the General or Temporary Entertainment Permit Application?
It is the City of Sacramento form to apply for a two-year General Entertainment Permit (new or renewal) or a Temporary Entertainment Permit for a one-time event. It covers entertainment open to the public on private property, such as live music, DJs, karaoke and comedy.
Do I need a Sacramento business license or BOT certificate for this permit?
The application requires a current City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate, attached to it, and is not deemed complete without it. The entertainment permit is a separate city permit from that certificate.
What is the difference between the General, Temporary and Limited permits?
The General permit is for ongoing entertainment at a venue and lasts two years. The Temporary permit is for one-time events. The Limited permit is for businesses where entertainment is secondary, with occupancy of 299 or less, and uses a separate application.
Does the property owner have to sign the application?
Yes. Written consent from the property owner, or a person duly authorized by the owner, is required on page 3. Applications will not be accepted or processed without signed property owner consent.
Is there a fee, and can it be refunded?
Yes. Fees apply for the application and for live scan fingerprinting, are due when you submit, and are non-refundable. Applications without all fees are not accepted. Check the City of Sacramento's entertainment permit page or call (916) 808-3535 for current amounts.
How long does the city take to decide on an entertainment permit?
The city approves or denies the application within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving the complete application, documents and fees. Live scan results may take up to four to six weeks, and live scan must be approved before the application is complete.
Where do I submit the entertainment permit application?
Contact Entertainment Services by e-mail at [email protected] to submit it, or call (916) 808-3535 to schedule an intake appointment. The office is at 915 I St., 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Who has to complete the live scan?
All applicants, co-applicants and managers complete a live scan with the Sacramento Police Department. After you submit and pay, call 916-808-0780 to schedule it. The application may be denied if an applicant fails live scan clearance.
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 and does not submit the application to the City of Sacramento; you send it through the city's channels.
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