Background
The Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program was officially adopted by the SFMTA Board on November 18, 2025, following a successful six-month pilot that spanned between February 2025 to August 2025. The pilot demonstrated that allowing businesses to independently post and re-post Temporary Tow-Away No Stopping Signs (Temp Signs) can help them save money on permit fees. Building on this success, this newly created permanent program expands eligibility beyond the original 16 participants to include music venues with Place of Entertainment permits and theaters hosting live performances—while maintaining the streamlined structure and operations that made the pilot effective.
Administered by the SFMTA, in collaboration with the Entertainment Commission and the Office of Economic & Workforce Development, the Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program gives eligible Entertainment Venues the flexibility to temporarily reserve curb space for events by posting official SFMTA Temp Signs on their own. This program helps reduce compounding permit fees and allows venues to quickly address vandalism and sign tear-downs by ensuring convenient and smooth loading and unloading access for performers, vendors, and guests, keeping San Francisco’s vibrant entertainment scene, and maximizing efficient and accessible streets and curbs.
Benefits
- Reduce business costs associated with permit fees compared to standard Temp Sign Program Fees
- Empower Entertainment Venues to self-manage Temp Signs postings
- Allows Entertainment Venues to address sign vandalism or removal at anytime without having to wait for SFMTA staff
- Improve loading operations for performers, vendors, and guests
Eligibility
Venues must hold an active Place of Entertainment permit or be a theater that hosts live performances.
Important Notice for 2025 Venue Self-Post Pilot Participants
All 16 participants invited to take part in the 2025 Venue Self-Post Pilot do not need to complete any additional eligibility steps. You should be able to access the Venue Self-Post Community Portal with the username and password established as part of the Venue Self-Post Pilot Program.
For account access issues, please contact VenueSelfPost@SFMTA.com
How to Confirm Eligibility
- Email venueselfpost@sfmta.com with the following information:
- Business Name
- Business Address
- Contact Information (email and phone number; if you’d like to use a different email for account access, please provide that as well)
- Business Account Number
- SFMTA staff will verify your status with the Entertainment Commission and/or the Office of Economic & Workforce Development.
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Account Creation Timeline:
All new eligibility requests submitted by Thursday will be processed by Tuesday of the following week.
- If eligible, you’ll receive a link to register for an account.
- If not eligible, you will be notified by e-mail that you are not eligible. You can still apply for temporary signs through standard procedures.
- You may appeal the eligibility decision by obtaining a Place of Entertainment permit or by providing documentation (e.g., playbill) corroborating that they are a theater that hosts live performances.
Ready to Get Started?
Check Your Eligibility
Send your details to VenueSelfPost@SFMTA.com to begin the process.
Submit Your Temp Sign Request
Once your eligibility for the Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program is confirmed, you’ll receive an email from SFMTA with instructions to set up your account password and access the Venue Self-Post Community Portal.
- To remain in good standing in the program, please make sure to follow all requirements outlined in the Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program Guidelines found under the Reports/Documents sidebar of this page. These guidelines are updated periodically, so we recommend checking back regularly to ensure you’re following the most current version.
- For detailed, step-by-step guidance—including how to create your password—please refer to the Venue Self-Post Training PowerPoint available in the sidebar of this page.
When you’re ready, log in to the Venue Self-Post Community Portal and complete the Temporary Sign Request Form to apply for your permit.
Venue Self-Post Community Portal
Helpful Resources
Print your Temp Signs in color on 11" x 17" paper or sign material, in portrait orientation (not landscape orientation) on your own or at the Permit Center for $7 per page.
Permit Center - Print Center
49 South Van Ness Ave, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Entertainment Commission - Place of Entertainment Permit website