Local venues seeking sound permits during the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference in March are now required to submit permit applications weeks earlier than previous requirements, according to new city policy that went into effect Jan. 11.
Venues seeking a 24-hour sound permit must now submit their applications by 21 days before their events. Venues seeking a multiday permit must submit their applications 30 days before their events.
The new policy comes after growing success and expansion of SXSW and a need for better communication between the festival and the City of Austin, said Greg Guernsey, director of planning and development review.
"This provides us the opportunity to enhance collaboration between various city departments and event planners," Guernsey said. "The new requirements allow sufficient time to perform interdepartmental evaluations and site inspections prior to an event."
