Laguna Beach Buskers Have New Rules To Follow

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—The City Council's new Street Performances Ordinance guidelines are designed to “ensure the safety of performers, their audience, and the general public, as well as prevent interference with business operation.”

The adopted ordinance for performers, updated from an earlier version presented in June, allows for "Michael the Greeter" to keep on greeting at the corner of Brooks Street and Coast Highway.

Street performers, also known as Buskers, have until August 27 to get used to the new rules.

First off, buskers are never allowed to perform on the Forest Avenue Promenade (see exception below), the Heisler Park Amphitheater, or the corners of Coast Highway and Forest Avenue or Glenneyre Street and Forest Avenue.

Anyone under the age of 16 needs to obtain an entertainment work permit from the Department of Industrial Relations of the State of California.

Laguna Beach City-Wide Busker Rules

Performances are permitted between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. only. No application, permit, or business license is required. If asked to lower the volume, do so immediately.

Buskers are allowed on any street or in any park if adhering to these caveats:

• Buskers must be at least 10 feet away from bus stops, street corners, business entrances and crosswalks.
• Buskers cannot block the sidewalk with performance or equipment.
• Performers may ask for donations, but you cannot charge a fee.
• Buskers must perform within two hours of setting up equipment and must stay with your items at all times.
• Buskers may not use power generators at any time during their performance.

Forest Avenue Promenade Stage

The wooden stage on Forest Avenue is strictly for performances that have been booked by the City of Laguna Beach after an application review.

Applications are available at the city’s website and require proof of identity. Be prepared to describe your act, though social media links, videos or photographs, etc., are acceptable to make your case for stage time on the Promenade.

If an application is approved by the Cultural Arts Department, an available timeslot will be offered.

The maximum time on stage is 3 hours. An open instrument case or up-turned hat is allowed for donations.

Call (949) 497-0722 or email art@lagunabeachcity.net for more information. But first, try these FAQs on busking in Laguna Beach.

Read also:

Laguna Beach Street Performers Get Stricter Parameters: Council