A Zoning Permit is required for any new use of land or a building (A-301.1.5).

Many businesses fit into more than one use category or sub-category within the Eating and Drinking or Assembly and Entertainment categories.

This tool helps explain which permits are needed for places like nightclubs, event spaces, entertainment venues, bars/restaurants with entertainment, smoking lounges, and similar businesses.

Answer the following questions to find out which use category (or categories) apply to your business.

For more information about these Use Categories, refer to L&I's FAQ on this topic. 

Disclaimer:
This interpretation, policy or code application is intended to provide guidance to staff for consistency of review and is subject to change without notice. Application of this interpretation, policy or code application to specific projects may vary. There may be other ways to comply with the Code. If so, you are not required to use this method. You may want to investigate other options or consult with a professional identifying an equally code compliant solution.

Note: Smoking or vaping of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other substances is not permitted in assembly and entertainment uses. (14-601(7)(c))

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Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Smoking Lounge (14-601(7)(f)(.4))

Notes:

• Smoking or vaping of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other substances is not permitted in assembly and entertainment uses. (14-601(7)(c)).
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Sit-Down Restaurant, Take-Out Restaurant and/or Prepared Food Shop (14-601(7)(f))

Notes:

• If you need guidance differentiating between these uses, refer to the Use Classification Guide.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Assembly & Entertainment (14-601(7)(c))

Notes:

• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Event Assembly Facility  (14-601(7)(c)(.4))

Notes:

• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Nightclubs & Public Event Venues (14-601(7)(c)(.2))

Notes:

• The Nightclubs & Public Event Venues category doesn’t not include dance studios and related establishments providing instructional dance classes; performances incidental to a restaurant, hotel or retail uses and Event Assembly Facilities.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use categories:

1. Sit-Down Restaurant, Take-Out Restaurant and/or Prepared Food Shop (14-601(7)(f))
2. Event Assembly Facility (14-601(7)(c)(.4))

Notes:

• If you need guidance differentiating between these uses, refer to the Use Classification Guide.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use categories:

1. Sit-Down Restaurant, Take-Out Restaurant and/or Prepared Food Shop (14-601(7)(f))
2. Assembly & Entertainment (14-601(7)(c))

Notes:

• If you need guidance differentiating between these uses, refer to the Use Classification Guide.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use categories:

1. Sit-Down Restaurant, Take-Out Restaurant and/or Prepared Food Shop (14-601(7)(f))
2. Nightclubs & Public Event Venues (14-601(7)(c)(.2))

Notes:

• If you need guidance differentiating between these uses, refer to the Use Classification Guide.
• The Nightclubs & Public Event Venues category doesn’t not include dance studios and related establishments providing instructional dance classes; performances incidental to a restaurant, hotel or retail uses and Event Assembly Facilities.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

1. Sit-Down Restaurant, Take-Out Restaurant and/or Prepared Food Shop (14-601(7)(f))
2. Event Assembly Facility (14-601(7)(c)(.4))
3. Assembly & Entertainment (14-601(7)(c))

Notes:

• If you need guidance differentiating between these uses, refer to the Use Classification Guide.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

 If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

1. Sit-Down Restaurant, Take-Out Restaurant and/or Prepared Food Shop (14-601(7)(f))
2. Event Assembly Facility (14-601(7)(c)(.4))
3. Nightclubs & Public Event Venues (14-601(7)(c)(.2))

Notes:

• If you need guidance differentiating between these uses, refer to the Use Classification Guide.
• The Nightclubs & Public Event Venues category doesn’t not include dance studios and related establishments providing instructional dance classes; performances incidental to a restaurant, hotel or retail uses and Event Assembly Facilities.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Event Assembly Facility (14-601(7)(c)(.4))

Assembly & Entertainment (14-601(7)(c))

Notes:

• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.

Based on the responses submitted, you will need to obtain a use permit for the following use category:

Event Assembly Facility (14-601(7)(c)(.4))

Nightclubs & Public Event Venues (14-601(7)(c)(.2))

Notes:

• The Nightclubs & Public Event Venues category doesn’t not include dance studios and related establishments providing instructional dance classes; performances incidental to a restaurant, hotel or retail uses and Event Assembly Facilities.
• For more information about Eating and Drinking uses and Assembly and Entertainment uses, refer to this FAQ.

If you'd like to use this tool again, refresh your browser page.