Staff outlines new permit forms, interagency calendar pilot and an October networking event for outdoor-event organizers

SAN FRANCISCO — Department staff told the Entertainment Commission on Sept. 19 that they are revamping permit applications and developing an interagency pilot calendar to improve event coordination and safety.

Dylan Rice, senior analyst for community and cultural events, walked commissioners through a draft one-time outdoor amplified-sound permit and a one-time outdoor entertainment permit. Rice said new forms will add fields that were previously omitted (for example, event name, hours of sound check and ZIP code for mapping) and will include FAQs and hyperlinks to agency-specific permits such as street-closure permits from the Municipal Transportation Agency. Forms will be issued as flat PDFs and smart PDFs while staff work toward an online application.

Rice also described a pilot collaboration with the Department of Emergency Management and other permitting agencies to build a centralized, cloud-based calendar for a trial run during Fleet Week (Oct. 2–9). Participating agencies would supply permitted events occurring during the trial window to improve situational awareness and emergency preparedness.

Finally, Rice announced an "SF Outdoor Events Network" event hosted by Google on Oct. 23 to educate organizers about day-of-event inspections and interagency coordination; staff aim to include panels with health, fire and police representatives. Rice said the commission's permitting-and-best-practices guide will be circulated to MTA, DEM and police for review and sign-off.

Staff said they will return to the commission with updates after the Fleet Week trial and with the next permit-template iteration.