Entertainment Commission cites venues after weekend sound complaints; staff to coordinate with police and city attorney

Deputy Director Azevedo told the San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Oct. 18 that inspectors responded to several noise complaints tied to weekend events and enforcement actions are underway. She said Bar Part Time (496 14th Street) was cited after an inspector observed a DJ performing past the establishment’s limited-live-performance (LLP) permit end time and the owner acknowledged the violation. A notice of violation (NOV) was issued.

Azevedo said inspectors measured Northern Ducks (1355 Market Street) during a late-night visit and recorded sound readings of about 100.7 dBA and 105.7 dBC, exceeding the business’s approved sound limits (79 A and 92 C). According to Azevedo, staff attempted several mitigations; the manager refused to have the DJ lower volume and an NOV was issued. Commissioners asked staff to return Northern Ducks to a future hearing so the venue can explain its compliance plan or face potential reconditioning of its permit.

Outré (1787 Union Street) was previously cited for hosting a DJ without a permit; inspectors observed another DJ on Oct. 14 and Azevedo said a citation will be issued. Jackson (3231 Fillmore Street) was visited after a complaint and staff found doors and windows open and outdoor music playing past a jam-permit end time; Azevedo said an NOV will be issued for violations of the Good Neighbor policy and the jam permit.

The deputy director also flagged recurring low-frequency complaints at a waterfront venue on Terry Francois Boulevard; staff recommended the business consult a sound engineer after readings showed levels nearly 8 decibels above the c-weighted limit on repeat visits. Azevedo said the office is coordinating with Northern Station, the City Attorney and the Alcoholic Beverage Control on enforcement options, and that the City Attorney’s office plans to draft potential cease-and-desist language for hosting entertainment without a permit.

Commissioners praised inspectors’ work and urged staff to require problem venues to appear before the Commission when warranted. The Commission made no additional action during this item beyond the staff-reported NOVs and planned citations; staff will follow up with law-enforcement and licensing partners as described.