Learn how a new sign program gives local venues more flexibility for every event they run.
We are thrilled to support local arts and culture venues with our new citywide Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program. This program makes it easier for venues to reserve curb space so they can quickly load and unload equipment for events.
Now, entertainment venues can print and post their own official “Temporary Tow-Away No Stopping” signs. This will help music venues that need curb space to park a bus or assemble gear. It will also support theaters that need a place close by to set up lights, props and other equipment needed for a new stage.
We tested the program in a recent pilot, and the data showed it:
- Reduces permitting costs by 30-50%
- Empowers venues to quickly replace vandalized or torn down signs
- Helps reduce double parking on busy streets, improving traffic flow for everyone
Learn how the program came to life based on community feedback. And see where to turn for resources if you are considering signing up.
An extension of our “Temp Sign” Program
The new program stems from our longtime Temporary Sign Program. That program lets residents and businesses save a parking spot on the street for things like construction, moving or events. These spots are marked by special “Temporary Tow-Away No Stopping” signs called “Temp Signs.”
If you know you’ll need a big space for a moving truck or a tour bus, you can reserve it ahead of time. This way, drivers of those vehicles don’t have to worry about finding a spot that’s big enough. Temp Signs make sure there’s enough room for big vehicles to load or unload easily.
Putting up temporary signs also helps stop problems like double-parking or blocking lanes. The signs let other drivers know to move their cars ahead of time—at least 24 hours before the event on metered streets and 72 hours before on other streets. This keeps the street clear and traffic moving smoothly.
Entertainment venues regularly need to reserve curb space to load equipment and park tour vans.
Making changes based on community feedback
Many people in San Francisco, including those who run theaters or concert venues, have used the Temp Sign Program. But for businesses that have events many times a week or month, the cost of permits adds up fast. It can also be annoying to deal with sign problems, because only SFMTA staff can replace Temp Signs that are damaged or taken down.
Local venues told us that permit costs and trouble getting curb space were big problems. So, we saw that places with lots of events needed a new way to do things. That’s why we started the Venue Self-Post Pilot Program. This new program makes it easier for venues to control their signs, gives them more choices and helps save money.
Josh Lieberman, General Manager of August Hall, said, “The Self-Post Pilot has been extremely beneficial in reducing our overall costs for event and tour bus with trailer reservations. It has also allowed us to address sign teardowns directly, especially on weekends when MTA is closed and would otherwise be unable to assist until the next business day.”
Putting our goals to the test: The Venue Self-Post Pilot
In early 2025, we worked with the Office of Economic & Workforce Development and the Entertainment Commission to start the Venue Self-Post Pilot Program.
This program lasted six months and was designed to make curb access easier for places with live performances. We started with 16 music venues and theaters. The idea was simple: If venues could print, put up and replace their own Temporary Signs, they could fix sign problems right away. This also eliminated the need to pay for staff time to post signs, which saved venues money.
The results: More savings and control
The pilot’s impact was immediate and significant:
- Lower costs. Venues saved up to 50% on permit fees by putting up their own signs.
- Quick fixes. Venues could swap out lost or damaged signs right away, so events didn’t get delayed.
- More choices. Some places still like having SFMTA staff print and put up their signs. With the new program, venues can keep using the old way or try the new self-posting method, depending on what works best for them.
- Support for the arts: The new simple process made it easier for local arts and live entertainment groups to do their work.
Because participating venues experienced clear and measurable benefits, the SFMTA Board voted to make the program permanent in November 2025.
We are now expanding eligibility to more venues and theaters citywide!
Any venue with an active Place of Entertainment permit or a theater that hosts live performances is eligible to participate in the Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program.
To learn more and apply to the program, visit our Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program webpage.
Resources and support
We have a range of resources available on our Entertainment Venue Self-Post Program webpage for those interested in the program.
You can find:
- Training materials
- FAQs
- A slide deck with step-by-step training
We also invite you to join us for a live video training in January where our staff can answer your questions about the program.
To attend or to ask any questions about the self-post program, email: VenueSelfPost@SFMTA.com
We will record that session and post it on the webpage to support local venues.
With SF Music Week and NoisePop coming soon, we hope more venues will sign up to participate in the program as the new year gets underway.
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