The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Oct. 7 denied an appeal from Castle SF (Creative Art Group LLC) and affirmed a 15-day limited suspension of its Place of Entertainment (POE) and Extended Hours Premises (EHP) permits after staff cited three violations that occurred while those permits were stayed.

Director Maggie Weiland said inspectors observed Castle SF operating entertainment or serving beverages past 2 a.m. on Aug. 24, Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 — all within a stay that followed a Board of Appeals filing related to permit issuance. The commission’s rules allow a director to issue a limited suspension when a permit holder accrues three qualifying violations within a 90‑day period.

“We followed every procedural requirement, written notice, opportunity to respond and delivery both electronically and in person,” Weiland said during the hearing. She said each citation was emailed to the permit holder within 72 hours of the observed violations and that one inspector hand‑delivered the suspension notice when the venue opened at 1 a.m.

Appellant counsel Reshma Khamit argued the appeal was filed on Sept. 12 and that the filing stayed the later suspension scheduled to start Sept. 13; she said citations tied to the August incidents were paid and raised questions about service and document timelines. “The filing of your appeal stays the order of limited suspension,” counsel said she was told in a staff email acknowledging the appeal.

Deputy Director Caitlin Azovito and staff presented inspection records and the Board of Appeals’ prior decision, and commissioners questioned whether staff provided proper notice and whether the violations warranted suspension. Several commissioners said the evidence showed the venue knowingly operated without an active permit during the stay and that enforcement was appropriate.

After deliberation the commission voted unanimously to affirm the director’s limited suspension. The commission stated the suspension will take effect the day after the hearing, Oct. 8, 2025, for a 15‑day period. Deputy Director Azovito will follow up with details for compliance and next steps.