SUPERVISOR WIENER TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE NIGHTLIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT REGULATIONS

Changes include easing burdensome permit requirements for DJs before 10 pm, allowing outdoor music performances, and enhancing enforcement powers of Entertainment Commission

February 26, 20123

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Supervisor Scott Wiener, (415) 554-6968, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

At today’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Scott Wiener will introduce legislation to improve access to live music while strengthening the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission to ensure compliance with city ordinances. These amendments to the Police Code include classifying music by DJs as live performances, which will allow for less onerous permitting for performances before 10 pm; allowing limited outdoor music in plazas and courtyards; and enhancing and expanding the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission. The legislation will also clarify and clean up outdated or redundant parts of the Code.

“Entertainment and nightlife are an essential part of San Francisco’s cultural and economic vibrancy,” said Supervisor Wiener. “This legislation fosters live entertainment while also heightening our ability to monitor and regulate bad actors. The Entertainment Commission will be more effective in issuing permits and enforcing the law.  The legislation recognizes that safe and responsible entertainment is key to our city’s success.”

The legislation will make several changes, including:

• Easing the permit process for non-late-night DJ performances. In 2011, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation to create a new type of permit, the “limited live performance” permit, for non-late-night live music in bars, restaurants, and cafes.  The permit is an alternative to full “place of entertainment” permits required of night clubs, which entail a very onerous and expensive process.  Supervisor Wiener’s legislation will allow venues with limited live performance permits to allow DJ performances until 10 pm under that permit.  The legislation requires the Entertainment Commission to conduct sound tests to ensure that the DJ performances comply with the sound limits of the limited live performance legislation.

• Allowing Limited Live Performances at outdoor plazas, courtyards or similar outdoor spaces. Under current law, it is very challenging – even impossible – for private or public plazas to obtain permitting for outdoor performances.  For example, the plaza adjacent to the Eagle Tavern or Ghiradelli Square technically cannot have ongoing music performance permits.  Supervisor Wiener’s legislation will allow these outdoor spaces to obtain music permits and to activate these venues.

•  Increasing the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission. The Entertainment Commission currently has limited ability to suspend permits for violations, often having to choose between a minor suspension and a complete revocation.  In addition, the Commission cannot enforce against people who engage in performances without bothering to obtain a permit and cannot assess civil penalties against violators.  The legislation will give the Commission authority to impose longer permit suspensions, will, for the first time, allow the Commission to enforce against people who don’t obtain permits, and will allow the Commission to assess and enforce civil penalties against permit violators.

“Ensuring a vibrant and responsible nightlife is the mission of the Entertainment Commission,” said Entertainment Commission Executive Director Jocelyn Kane. “By adding more tools to the Commission’s enforcement powers, while improving the permitting process and adding clarity to the law, we can work more effectively and efficiently with business owners, neighborhood residents and the Police Department to create a safe and responsible nightlife environment.”

In March of last year, at the request of Supervisor Wiener, the City Economist released a study quantifying the economic impact of San Francisco nightlife. That report found that in 2010 the industry had a $4.2 billion impact on San Francisco, employing 48,000 people and furnishing the City with $55 million in tax revenue.

“We need to encourage a flourishing nightlife that not only marks San Francisco as a cultural capital, but also creates jobs and brings in revenue for essential City services,” said Supervisor Wiener. “These amendments are part of that broader strategy.”

San Francisco, CA - The California Music and Culture Association hosted the first of 2013 CMAC After-Dark Membership Mixers last night at San Francisco's reclining dining and entertainment establishment, Supperclub.  Manager Michael Anthony and his professional staff presented a custom taco bar, drinks at the red bar, a DJ and an extraordinary Ariel act culminating the entertainment.

Renderings of the Warriors stadium at piers 30-32. Concept by Future Cities. Aerial view. Photo: Art Zendarski, Future Cities

During libations and networking, Gloria Chan, Mayor's office of was introduced by CMAC co-chair Alex Rosenthal and the members of CMAC who were in attendance were given an hour informal and detailed presentation on the challenging project the Warriors have begun; bringing a state of the art athletic facility that can be used for concerts of 15,000+ when games are not being played.

Ellen Warner, Vice President of Development for the Warriors shows the proposed artist concepts.

There were questions from the members were about the accessibility of the outdoor space.   Who would do the bookings and manage the space when it was not being used for basketball and what would the large exterior ground be built for?  Would it have infrastructure for a jazz festival or outdoor theater?  What about an Art exhibition or antique car club?    The answer is that while details are not all known, comments and questions were carefully recorded and the list of requests for the space added another page.  The management of the space will be done in house and the members were excited about the opportunity this new space will provide for daytime outdoor events.  

Warriors President Rick Welts takes questions from interested CMAC members.

San Francisco is lucky to have a local development company working on bringing the Warriors to the city who understands that local politics and what partnerships will be needed for this project to soar.  If what we hear tonight is to be any clue, this will be a state of the art facility and will put San Francisco on the map by having a 15,000+ seat flexible use hall inside.

Exterior space is still being worked but a possible Amphitheater was talked about positively.  For more information about the project contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The next CMAC membership event will be held  in the Mission.  Watch for an email on just where we will land.

--------Steven for the CMAC Membership Team.

Monday Feb 25th, 1:30 PM at San Francisco City Hall (2nd Floor), the Board of Supervisors is hearing the "Western Soma Plan". This plan will impact entertainment in San Francisco and is a last chance to act before the Mayor signs the plan into law.  We need your help to amend the West SOMA Plan by sending an e-mail to the Board of Supervisors or showing up in person at this hearing.

Why do we need your help? Here are a few reasons:

Do you love social venues with entertainment?  From the Brain Wash to Cafe Flore to Ruby Skye - all these venues need permits.

Does your community raise money at social functions?  From the Eagle to El Rio, all need permits.

Do you like live music where you eat?  Restaurants with live music, all need permits

The Western SOMA Plan impacts venues you love, and how they are permitted to do business in San Francisco. That's why we need your help.

Please send an e-mail to the Board of Supervisors or show up to the hearing with this message:

Subject:  “I support the Board of Supervisors making these 5 Critical Improvements to the West Soma Plan:

1.  No more residential permits on 11th Street between Folsom and Harrison.  History tells us that residential and entertainment uses need some space around them, or conflict results.  11th street is a historic space for entertainment and there is no space on that block for residential.

2.  Limited Live Performance Permits should be allowed to have live entertainment inside a tiny area up to 10 PM.  A restaurant that wants a singer, piano or violin or a bar that wants jazz, needs this "Limited Live Performance" permit.  Folsom Street and numbered cross streets (7th, 8th, 9th, 10th ,  11th and 12th) should be allowed to have this permit.  Live music should flourish, not be prohibited.

3.  Folsom Street should be allowed more entertainment permits. Folsom Street is the new “main street” of San Francisco, paving the way for a nighttime economy that is helping our economic recovery.  Why not expand permits and allow another Brain Wash or Cat Club?

4.  Folsom Street needs commerce above the first floor. With conditional use authorization, Folsom Street should be allowed to permit restaurants and lounges on the second or third floor. San Francisco should open the door to innovative new places to eat.

5.  Expand the sunset date on entertainment permits from 3 years to 5 years. If an entertainment venue closes for more than 3 years in SOMA, it is gone forever.  Let's be more supportive of retaining our entertainment venues in San Francisco and let it be 5 years. This saves the Paradise and Raw Hide from disappearing and hurts no one.”

Below are addresses to the Board of Supervisors to send an e-mail:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank  you everyone for your advocacy, and we hope you write passionate letters and show up to the hearing to make your voice heard for the San Francisco you love!