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Outdoor Music Venue Permits

Entertainment Services Group (ESG)

Administers, manages, and monitors Outdoor Music Venue Permits for venues, music promoters, and meeting planners.
Coordinates amplified sound compliance requirements for Special Event Permits, and located at the Austin Center for Events.
Consults with venues about better sound quality, reduced sound impact to neighbors, and permit compliance.
Contact Brian Block for information on permit requirements.

Special Event Permits

Austin Center for Events (ACE)
For the latest updates on Special Events 2020 related to COVID-19, visit Austin Center for Events.

Oversees permitting and planning for special events and festivals.
ACE Planning Guide for Special Event planning information.
Outdoor Amplified Sound for Special Events section in ACE Planning Guide.

Film Permits

Please click here for information on filming in Austin.

Performing Artists in the Parks Permits

Performing artists are allowed to entertain in the parks provided they are registered with and approved by the Parks and Recreation Department. The Performing Artists in the Parks Permit fee for performing artists is $10 per day, and permits may be purchased in two-week increments. Please call 512-974-6797 for more information.

Amplified Sound Requirements

Amplified Outdoor Music in Residential Areas

OMV Permits may not be issued for the use of sound equipment located within 100 feet of property zoned and used as residential.
Amplified sound without a permit is only allowed in residential areas 10am to 10pm and up to 75 decibels.

Noise Ordinance

Chapter 9-2 (Noise and Amplified Sound)

Entertainment & Amplified Sound Compatibility Community Engagement

Ongoing stakeholder engagement promoting compatibility between music & entertainment venues and residents.

Temporary Event Sound Permits (24-Hour or Multi-Day)

Temporary Event Sound Permits are issued for up to four days of amplified sound. Multi-Day permits may include up to four consecutive days or four days within one month. A maximum of four Multi-Day permits, totaling 16 days may be issued to one site or property per calendar year. Multi-Day permits may not be issued within 30 days from last event date to a new event date. No more than one permit may be issued for the same site or property during Spring Festival Season.

Temporary Event Sound Permit Application HERE

The Music & Entertainment Division is a part of Austin Center for Events (ACE), a collaborative office anchored by teams from transportation, music, police, fire, EMS, and other City departments and agencies. Together with ACE, the Music & Entertainment Division assists outdoor music venues with the City permit process, and works closely with festivals on issues related to special event permits.

Submission Requirements & Deadlines:

24-Hour Sound Permits

Submission Deadline: 21 days prior to the event date Notification Fee: not required Sound Impact Evaluation Fee: $160 due at the time of application Permit Fee: $125 due at the time the permit is picked up

Applicant Prepared Notice Agreement HERE

Multi-Day Sound Permits

Submission Deadline: 45 days prior to the first scheduled event date Notification Fee: $560 due at time of application (Fee Waived for Self-Prepared Notice, Applicant must submit Prepared Notice Agreement with application) Sound Impact Evaluation Fee: $160 due at time of application Permit Fee: $125 due when permit is picked up

Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits

Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits are issued to outdoor live music venues for amplified sound. Apply for an OMV Permit HERE.

Applicant Prepared Notice Agreement HERE

Submission Requirements:

Notification Fee: $560 due at time of application (Fee Waived for Self-Prepared Notice, Applicant must submit Prepared Notice Agreement with application) Sound Impact Evaluation Fee: $200 due at time of application Permit Fee: $281.36 due when permit is picked up

Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits - Spring Festival Season Only

This application may ONLY be submitted by Outdoor Music Venues that have standard hours of amplified sound and are requesting for extended hours during the spring festival season. Apply for an OMV Extended Hours Permit.

Standard Hours of Amplified Sound and Decibel Levels

Warehouse or Sixth Street Entertainment: Sound equipment may be operated up to 85 decibels between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.

Outside either district: Sound equipment may be operated up to 85 decibels or up to 70 decibels at a restaurant general (51% food sales).

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Thursday
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. midnight Friday and Saturday

Outside either district within 600 ft. of a property with residential zoning & use: Sound equipment may be operated up to 85 decibels or up to 70 decibels at a restaurant general (51% food sales).

10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (extension to 10:00 p.m. possible with Music Office approval)
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday (extension to 10:00 p.m. possible with Music Office approval)

Venues

As the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is home to more than 250 live music venues that are an integral part of the industry’s success. Venues host talent from around the globe nightly and serve as the nucleus for local and internationally recognized musicians. For a list of venues currently hosting live music in Austin, click HERE.

The Entertainment Services Group serves as an ombudsman for outdoor live music venues. Our staff works to:

Assist venues with the City-required permit process for outdoor amplified sound;
Connect venues with other City departments that may require additional permits;
Mediate agreements between permitted venues and neighborhood groups to find equitable, win-win solutions and compromises related to outdoor music issues.

Music Venue Assistance Program

The Music Venue Assistance Program no longer exists. Information about the new program Creative Assistance Program can be found HERE.