Sacramento leaders seek to make small entertainment events easier to host

Sacramento city leaders are looking to make it easier for smaller venues and businesses to host live entertainment.Currently, smaller spots — think your local pizza parlor or coffee shop — have to pay the same fees and follow the same permit application and requirements as larger establishments. This could prevent smaller businesses from hosting simpler events such as karaoke or a live musician, according to the Sacramento City Council agenda.On Tuesday, council members voted in favor of streamlining the process. This vote does not immediately change anything, but the council directed staff to come back with an ordinance in six to eight weeks.”Making it easier for small businesses to host entertainment will ‘unlock the potential of art, music and creativity,'” Mayor Darrell Steinberg said in a blog post from the city of Sacramento. “That’s the way the Austins and Nashvilles have done it. It’s not just about big facilities. It’s about creating a cool, hip vibe because there’s music at 10 spots around the city.”These are the criteria for the proposed Limited Entertainment Permit (LEP):Occupancy of 299 or less.Entertainment acts as a secondary operation (for example: a restaurant featuring live music).Performance limited to designated area.Entertainment ends at 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends.These are what would qualify as entertainment under the LEP:MusicianBandDJDance performanceComedy showKaraokeWhy is it hard for smaller Sacramento venues to host entertainment in the first place?A document from the city council agenda explains that the council in 2003 adopted an ordinance to regulate entertainment, citing public health, safety and welfare.”Sacramento had issues with out-of-area promoters who failed to properly manage patrons, resulting in excessive noise and violence,” the document read. “There were also problems with large and unruly crowds at events in warehouses.”The document also explained that while the ordinance worked in controlling some of those issues, it did not differentiate between types and sizes of businesses and events. That would cause an undue burden for businesses and events that wanted to provide smaller-scale entertainment.Sacramento’s Office of Nighttime Economy is working with the Office of Arts & Culture to work on the LEP. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.