City staff outline three permitting paths for live entertainment in Old Town Temecula

City staff on Tuesday described three pathways for businesses to permit live entertainment in Old Town Temecula and answered questions about decibel rules and application requirements.

Mark Collins and Brandon Rabidoux led a workshop summarizing: (1) temporary use permits for one‑time or infrequent indoor or outdoor events; (2) annual entertainment licenses for ongoing indoor entertainment (divided into classes based on complexity, alcohol service and dancing); and (3) an outdoor pilot program designed to measure interest and impacts for outdoor, ancillary entertainment in the downtown core.

Collins said temporary use permits are intended for infrequent events and that applications “do not need engineered plans” — staff showed examples of simple floor plans and said most application fees range from about $76 to $307 depending on event size and duration, with discounts for nonprofits. The entertainment license is intended for regular indoor entertainment; staff described a tiered approach for class 1 (small, no alcohol), class 2 (alcohol without dancing), class 3 (alcohol with dancing) and class 4 (venues with an ABC license). Collins said annual license fees typically range from about $100 to $500 depending on the class.

The outdoor pilot program allows limited outdoor, ancillary entertainment in the downtown core for up to two years; staff said the pilot was extended and currently is scheduled to sunset Aug. 8, 2026 unless the council acts otherwise. The pilot’s stated intent is to allow lower‑amplitude acts — “the single person with a guitar” — and to exclude DJs and percussion instruments; staff said the outdoor pilot fee is $307.

Committee members asked about decibel limits and enforcement. One staff speaker said decibel standards originate in the city’s General Plan (70 dB mentioned by a committee speaker) and that the city was planning a study on noise limits that would go to the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff emphasized education and outreach and said that for events involving stages or alcohol the city will walk applicants through other permits and safety requirements.

Collins added that perceived high costs raised online largely reflected private costs charged by consultants for drawing plans; the city’s permitting fees are substantially lower, he said, and staff offered counter‑examples to show many businesses submit simple floor plans without engineering.

— Ending: Staff encouraged businesses to contact planning staff for assistance with applications and said the pilot program will be reviewed as part of broader General Plan and event‑management discussions.