Inspector reports 25 noise complaints and three notices of violation; staff outlines targeted sound‑limit approach

Senior Inspector Savino told the San Francisco Entertainment Commission that enforcement staff have received 25 sound complaints since the last hearing and have issued three notices of violation (NOVs). He described a targeted approach that sets special‑event sound limits and a permitted number of special‑event days for businesses that seek higher sound allowances distinct from ambient amplified sound limits.

Inspector Savino cited four businesses flagged for follow‑up. He said GuestDalt on Sixteenth Street in the Mission was visited three times after 3‑1‑1 complaints and was operating indoor entertainment without a place‑of‑entertainment permit; Director Weiland issued an NOV on Wednesday, May 12 and staff offered guidance on applying for a POE permit. Foreign Lens on Green Street (North Beach) was visited twice after a complaint from a district supervisor; staff educated the owner on the JAM application and found a pending shared spaces permit (SSP), but issued an NOV on May 12 for operating without the necessary permit and will continue outreach to bring the business into compliance.

Savino said Capital Gardens has received repeated complaints (more than 10 via 3‑1‑1 and email), has been visited four times, and staff conducted a sound test and set sound limits; the plan is to approve the venue for four special events per month initially and consider increasing the number if no substantiated complaints recur. Regarding the Midway, Savino reported a spot check found the venue operating about 7 decibels over approved sound limits; he drove to a complainant location in Noe Valley and, citing topography and recent fog, said bass frequencies were faint but detectable and the department issued an NOV for excess levels.

Commissioners asked how staff traced sound to the Midway. Savino said staff performed site visits, coordinated with venue sound staff, used on‑site listening and text communication among inspectors and concluded the source was the Midway for the tested event; he noted similar propagation issues have happened before at Pier 70 during foggy conditions. Savino said the new strategy of conditioning special‑event days and requiring advance notice will help enforcement and provide clarity to businesses and neighbors.

There was no public comment recorded on the enforcement report during the meeting.