Key Takeaways
- The city of Sacramento has introduced a new Limited Entertainment Permit (LEP) to help small businesses host live entertainment events
- The permit allows businesses with a capacity of 299 or fewer people to host events such as comedy, open mic nights, concerts, DJs, and ticketed events
- The LEP costs $750 for two years, compared to the city’s $2,200 general license
- The permit is intended for smaller venues such as bars, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, and restaurants
- The city is hosting an outreach and training event to help businesses understand the permit and application process
Introduction to the Limited Entertainment Permit
The city of Sacramento has made it easier and more affordable for small businesses to host live entertainment events with the introduction of the Limited Entertainment Permit (LEP). This new permit allows small businesses with a capacity of 299 or fewer people to host a variety of events, including comedy, open mic nights, concerts, DJs, and ticketed events. The City Council approved the LEP in April 2025, with the goal of boosting Sacramento’s nightlife and providing smaller venues with an opportunity to enhance their businesses. The permit is a significant development for the city’s entertainment scene, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy.
The Benefits of the Limited Entertainment Permit
The LEP is designed to provide easier access for small businesses to host live entertainment events, and it offers several benefits compared to the city’s general license. The permit costs $750 for two years, which is significantly lower than the $2,200 general license. Additionally, the LEP is intended for smaller venues such as bars, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, and restaurants, making it an ideal option for these types of businesses. The permit also has restrictions on the hours of operation, with events allowed to run until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. This is in contrast to the general entertainment permit, which can allow events to run as late as 2 a.m. or even later in some cases.
The Venue Ladder and Its Impact on Local Entertainment
According to Dustin Hollingsworth, the assistant director of the Department of Convention and Cultural Services, the LEP is expected to have a positive impact on the local entertainment scene. He explained that the permit will provide easier access for small businesses to host live events, which will in turn create more opportunities for local bands and entertainment groups to perform. This is often referred to as the "venue ladder," which represents the various venues that local entertainers can perform at as they progress in their careers. The LEP is expected to open up more opportunities for local entertainers to perform at smaller venues, which will help to boost the local music ecosystem.
Outreach and Training Event
Despite the benefits of the LEP, the city has not received as many applications as anticipated. As a result, the city is hosting an outreach and training event to help businesses better understand the permit and application process. The event will be held on January 29, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 300 Richards Blvd., Room 221. The event is intended to provide businesses with more information about the LEP and to answer any questions they may have. Hollingsworth explained that the city has received a lot of questions about the permit since it was launched, and the outreach and training event is designed to address these questions and provide more clarity on the application process.
Conclusion and Future Developments
The introduction of the Limited Entertainment Permit is a significant development for the city of Sacramento, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the local entertainment scene. The permit provides smaller venues with an opportunity to host live events, which will help to boost the local music ecosystem and provide more opportunities for local entertainers to perform. The city’s outreach and training event is designed to help businesses understand the permit and application process, and it is expected to lead to an increase in applications. As the city continues to develop and grow, it is likely that the LEP will play an important role in shaping the local entertainment scene and providing more opportunities for small businesses to thrive.
