Street entertainment

General information

Rated as one of the top liveable cities in the world, Vancouver has a high mixed-use residential/commercial component. Buskers should be respectful while performing in the city. Street Entertainment can be a positive addition to city streetscapes. Content may vary greatly by performance.  Currently we have performers from every walk of life, novice to professional that include a good range of instruments, vocal, dance, mime, jugglers, balloon sculpting and caricature artists. We encourage a wide variety of street entertainment and review performance type and content on a case by case basis. 

Loud and /or repetitive performances are disruptive to people living and working in the area.  Please respect the wishes of nearby residents and businesses.  In order to ensure your performance remains a pleasant experience for everyone, the following guidelines must be followed:

Street entertainment hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

1. Street entertainment (busking) permits can be issued to artists 16 years old or older with valid photo identification. Artists of 13 to 15 years of age can have their name on a permit issued to a parent's name. A parent has to accompany the artist at all time during performances. Children 12 years old and under will not be issued a permit.
2. Street entertainment is not suitable for a stage like performance. Limit your footprint to ensure adequate pedestrian traffic. You are responsible for ensuring that doorways, display windows are not blocked by your performance or your audience.
3. Do not begin your performance in a block face where 2 others are already performing. The exception to this is Robson Street, west of Burrard, where a maximum of 4 performers per block face is acceptable.
4. Your permit is only valid between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week. You are limited to 60 minutes at any one location.  After 60 minutes, you must move to a new location at least one full block away.
5. You must comply with the City of Vancouver Noise By-laws and others. If your permit authorizes you to use amplification you must limit the sound level to a maximum of 70db.
6. You do not own a specific busking location. If a favourite busking spot is occupied wait 60 minutes for the busker to move on.
7. The use of sharp or dangerous objects is prohibited (for example juggling knives, chain saws or flaming objects is not permitted).
8. Musicians are permitted to sell recordings of their original work during their performance without a Street Vending Permit.  No other sales are permitted.
9. Permit holder must be present during the performance. Permits must be displayed at all times during performances.
10. Street Entertainment permits authorizing battery operated amplification are restricted by the following conditions:
    • Amplification can only be used for instruments that require amplification to be heard (solid body guitar, keyboard).
    • Amplification will only be valid for the instrument identified on the permit.
    • AMPLIFICATION IS NOT PERMITTED FOR: VOICE, ACOUSTICAL, WIND, HORN INSTRUMENTS.
    • Sound level must not exceed 70db at all times as per the City of Vancouver Noise By-law.
    • If neighbouring businesses or residents complain about your amplification level you must lower the sound volume and move to a different location.
    • City of Vancouver Officials or Police, at their sole discretion, can limit or mute the use of instruments emitting excessive sound.
    • City of Vancouver Officials or Police may revoke a permit after two excessive sound related warnings.
11. Portrait artists may use 1 easel, 2 small folding chairs, display up to but no more than 3 pieces of their art including the working drawing.  The sale of pre-drawn work or photocopies is prohibited. Portrait artists can be at one location for up to 2 hours.
12. This permit is not valid within 10 Metres (33 feet) of the Gastown Steam Clock located at the corner of Water Street and Cambie Street.

Failure to comply with the above guidelines may result in fines, confiscation, suspension or cancellation of your permit.

Fees

• 4 Month Permit = $36.49 + $4.38 HST = $40.87 or
• Annual Permit = $108.29 + $12.99 HSt = $121.28
  

Download the Street Entertainment Permit Application Form

If you wish to make application for a Street Entertainment Permit, please attend in person with valid, current picture identification, to the Streets Activities Branch, 507 W Broadway, 5th Floor Crossroads Building, Vancouver.

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Entertainment locations where no permit is required.

Sidewalk in the 300 Block of W Georgia St. (adjacent Library Square)

Sidewalk in the 700 Block of Homer St. (adjacent Library Square)

Sidewalk on the west side of Quebec St. (adjacent Science World)

East & North side of False Creek - Seawall from Science World to the Cambie Bridge

800 Block of Robson St. (adjacent to Art Gallery)

200 Block Of W Georgia - Sidewalk adjacent Q.E. Theatre

600 block of Hamilton - Sidewalk adjacent Q.E. Theatre

700 & 800 Blocks of Beatty St - Sidewalk adjacent Terry Fox Plaza

Street allowance adjacent to B.C. Transit Sky Train Stations. Please note that street allowance adjacent to all Canada Line Stations still require a Street Entertainment Permit.

 

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE LIST OF LOCATIONS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE*                                         

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Contact information