Policies, Rules and Regulations

The policies, rules and regulations of the SMCA are designed to give the Permittee an overall understanding of the operational guidelines of the facility.

PERMITS. Only individuals and organizations with a signed Permit are permitted to use the SMCA. Permittee shall not conduct within or upon the premises any other operations except those described in the Permit. A Permit is valid only when both parties have signed it and the required fees are paid.

OPERATING HOURS. A rental day is 8am – 12midnight (1am for concerts). Authorized use of the facility during the hours of 12midnight – 8am is subject to overtime rate of $500hr.

CONTRACTUAL SECURITY. All events requiring contractual security must use those security companies that are on SMCA’s approved list. SMCA staff will determine staffing levels based on the particular needs of the event. The individual security company sets the hourly rates. The fee for contractual security is the responsibility of the Permittee and is paid directly to the security company. This fee is not included in the Permit between SMCA and the Permittee.

If you wish to have a security company placed on SMCAs’ approved list, the security company must send to SMCA the following: a loss record for the last three years; a copy of insurance coverage with a minimum of $2MM liability coverage and a minimum of three (3) references for similar events. It will take approximately 90 days to process this request.

USHERS. Will be required for certain events. Contractual Security Companies will provide ushers and the Permittee will be responsible for this fee which is paid directly to the security company. This fee is not included in the Permit between SMCA and the Permittee.

SANTA MONICA POLICE. SMCA in association with the Santa Monica Police Department will determine the level of police services required for each event. The fee for this service is the responsibility of the Permittee and is included in the Permit between SMCA and the Permittee.

FIRE MARSHALL. SMCA in association with the Santa Monica Fire Department will determine the level of fire personnel required for each event. The fee for this service is the responsibility of the Permittee and is included in the permit between SMCA and the Permittee.

HOUSE RADIO. Each Permittee will receive one house radio for communication with SMCA staff during the event. Permittee is responsible for the radio throughout the event and must return it to SMCA staff at end of the event. The cost for lost radios will be charged to the Permittee in the amount of $1200 per radio.

PARKING. On-site parking is located adjacent to the facility on the east side of building. Off-site parking is available in satellite parking lots.

DELIVERIES. Will be accepted only on the dates outlined in the Permit. Deliveries made prior to those dates will be refused unless special arrangements have been made with SMCA staff. No crate or equipment storage is available on site.

BOX OFFICE. SMCA is not involved in the operation of the box office and the selling of tickets for any event. Permittee is solely responsible for all box office operations and the sale of tickets

BACKSTAGE PASSES. All concert promoters are to provide backstage passes. The number of persons permitted backstage is limited to 99. Backstage passes must be provided for SMCA staff. A Fire Marshall will be required to monitor occupancy at Permittee’s expense.

SIGNAGE. The City Of Santa Monica does not permit signs to be posted on light poles, fences, telephone poles, etc. throughout the City. Permittee will be charged for every sign that is removed by the City at a cost of $25 per sign. All requests to attach or display any signs, banners, etc. on the outside of the SMCA, must be approved in advance by SMCA staff.

PROPERTY DECORATIONS. Permittee shall not post or permit to be posted upon SMCA premises any signs, objects, etc. that will damage in any manner said premises. SMCA does not permit nails, hooks, adhesive fasteners, tacks, screws, etc. to be taped, tacked, secured, fastened or anchored to any building part, wall, pillar, doors, window or drapery. All requests to attach any equipment, signs, signs, banners, decorations, etc. to any part of the facility must be approved in advance by SMCA staff. Self-adhesive stickers are not permitted to be sold or distributed at SMCA.

REFUSE REMOVAL. A Trash Hauling Fee will be charged for events.

DOORS. For events other than trade show or exhibitions, doors will open one (1) hour before the scheduled time of event.

SEATING CAPACITY. For concerts, lectures and meetings in the main hall, the house capacity is 3,000. The seating can be reconfigured to accommodate fewer seats. Contact SMCA staff to discuss available options.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS. SMCA offers basic telephone service on a fee basis. Special services and high-speed Internet access can be obtained through Verizon. However, SMCA staff must process the order before Verizon can be contacted.

UNION LABOR. SMCA is a union stage house. All events that utilize the stage (except trade shows and exhibitions) will be required to use IATSE Local 33 for all technical work, i.e. electricians, carpenters, sound men/women, riggers, etc.

The fee for Local 33 is the responsibility of the Permittee and is paid directly to Local 33. This fee is not included in the Permit between SMCA and the Permittee.

FIRE DEPARTMENT - SPECIAL PERMITS. Special permits are required from the Fire Dept. for: pyrotechnics, display and operation of any heater, barbeque, heat-producing or open flame, candles, lasers, lamps lanterns or torches; use of storage of flammable liquids, compressed gases or dangerous chemicals; and display of an operating internal combustion engine. Additional permits may be required by the Santa Monica Fire Department including permits for tents and canopies.

FLAME-RETARDANT TREATMENT. All decorations, drapes, signs, banners, sails, acoustical materials, hay, straw, plastic cloth, table cloths, and similar decorative materials shall be flame-retarded to the satisfaction of the Santa Monica Fire Department.

MARQUEE. Permittee’s event shall be listed on the computerized marquee at the SMCA. Information for multiple events shall be programmed on the marquee at any one time.

CONCESSIONS. There is one concession stand located in the main lobby and portable concession stands that can be operated at various sites in the facility. SMCA has the option of opening the concession stand for all events. The concession stand will open one hour before the event is scheduled and will close immediately after intermission or at the discretion of SMCA staff.

FLOOR PLANS. Two (2) sets of accurate, to-scale plans of the proposed event must be submitted to the SMCA Operations Supervisor, a minimum of one (1) month prior to the beginning of the event. Plans must be drawn to scale and be actual representation of the event. Plans must show all booths, aisles, exits, electrical drops, display areas, islands, food carts, drapery, machines or any other item which is set up on the floor area. All seating areas and dining areas must show chair and table set-up with aisles.

HOUSEKEEPING. For exhibit shows, SMCA provides aisle cleaning only. Permittee must arrange for in-booth cleaning. For all events, SMCA staff will maintain all restrooms.

KITCHEN. SMCAs’ commercial kitchen is available to Permittee on a fee basis. Permittee will have use of cooking and refrigeration equipment. A refundable clean up deposit will be required in addition to the daily rental fee.

HELLIUM BALLOONS. No helium balloons are permitted within the facility.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. May be required for events by SMCA staff at the expense of the Permittee.

AUDIO/VISUAL. SMCA does have a basic sound, paging and lighting system. SMCA does not provide any audio-visual equipment.

ACCESSIBILITY. The main hall (first floor), lobby and east wing meeting room are all wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices are available. There are no elevators or escalators in the SMCA. Disability related accommodations requests should be made at least 3 days prior to the event by calling the SMCA at 310-458-8551/TTY/TDD 310-587-9277.

NOVELTY/MERCHANDISE SALES. A novelty fee of 25% of gross sales will be charged for novelty or souvenir items such as t-shirts, books, posters CDs, etc. This fee does not apply to trade shows, conventions or consumer shows.

SETTLEMENTS. A financial settlement report will be sent to Permittee within three weeks after the event.