Busking permits (in various locations)

Subject: Busking permits
From: GUEST,weary traveller
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 12:01 PM

on some previous threads about busking, people mentioned that sometimes you need a license, or even need to audition

It might be useful to pool our knowledge of the regulations in various places -- even if you prefer to flout them

In Belgium you usually need to register with the police ... I only busked without permission In Antwerpen I was stopped and warned by police (and friendlier people had warned me about the rules). In Oostend by the ferry I had no problems

I don't know what the rules are in Norway, but I had no problems there

Can anyone tell me about the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam?

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Bert
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 07:27 PM

I met a guy who bought a street performer's licence for New Hope, Pennsylvania. And the police still moved him off the street.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: alanabit
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 07:58 AM

The rules in Amsterdam have been different every time I've been there. Most of the rest of Holland is usually pretty open, but it has been a long time - over fifteen years - since I last made decent money there. Germany varies from town to town, but one which is not worth going to any more is München. You can only do it legally for half a day a week there and it is too far from a high paying town to make it worth the detour. Every Swiss town has different regulations. You normally need to go the the cop shop first. Zürich is right out. It is strictly forbidden and when they nick you they hang you. (If you look poor they hang you twice. The Swiss don't like poverty). Apart from Vienna and Vorarlberg (east Austria), it's pretty open in that wonderful land. There are also some very good festivals for buskers there.In Denmark all street busking is officially banned, although you may get away with it in some places. Sweden can be wonderful. Never ever look poor in Italy, Spain or Portugal. Two of those countries have had Fascist governments within living memory and not all of the old policemen have retired yet!PM me if you want to hear more about busking central Europe. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Trevor
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 12:22 PM

We were out in Shrewsbury last weekend. I phoned the town centre management who told me that the licensing system there had been suspended so we wouldn't be breaking the law if we performed on the street, but that I'd better inform the town council licensing people just so that they were aware of what we were doing. The licensing people told me that as the licensing scheme had been suspended we could do what liked but that we wouldn't be able to make a street collection. When I asked her what that meant she said she didn't know, and that maybe collecting money in a guitar case on the ground wasn't a street collection. She suggested that we did it anyway and 'see what happens'. When I asked her 'see what happens by who', she said she didn't know. When we turned up the place was full of Sally Ann, excruciating fiddlers and blokes with a whistle and dog so we sent our most respectable looking colleague to ask if we could perform in the shopping mall. As that is private property the owners can apparently do whatever they want. Outcome, three hours later, £135.00 for Medecins sans Frontiers. Wouldn't want it to be too easy would we!!

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 06:21 PM

What about busking in Scotland and Ireland. I've seen plenty of folks doing it - anybody know the rules there?

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 07:44 PM

In the US, I think it varies by local ordinance and custom. I happen to know a little about Minneapolis because there was a lawsuit about busking a few years back which was covered in the newspapers. The city council had first passed an ordinance saying you had to get a license, and then refused to grant any licenses. One musician, who had been busking for years before the law was passed, and who had applied for a license and been turned down, sued the city and won. A judge ruled the city had to issue the license unless they could show cause why not. (I have no idea what kind of thing the judge would have accepted as a valid reason to refuse the license.) They issued the license, and I think the guy still plays to this day. He plays a conga drum and sings on Nicollet Mall in summer.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 08:48 AM

Wales: A couple of years ago I busked in Llandudno, Aberyswyth, Cardigan and Holyhead, Wales and I had no problems. The police kept an eye out, but didn't approach.

A friend of mine gave me a bi-lingual "Côd Arferion - Adloniant ar Stryd / Code of Practice - Street Entertainment" which he was given in a larger town. I think it was Swansea, though I know he also busked in Bangor. I don't know whether he had to signanything attesting to his agreement with the code. It is fairly sensible, starting off "Fel rheol, bydd chwyddo cerddoriaeth neu ganu yn annerbyniol, yn enwedig lle bo uchder y sain yn achosi cwyn. Dylai didan wyr stryd ystried lleoliad y gweithgarwch wrth benderfynu lefel y swm a greir gan eu hadloniant. / Normally, amplification of music or singing will be unacceptable ..." and going on to say that entertainers, and the crowds they (hopefully!) attract, should not cause any obstructions, shouldn't be near public telephones, etc. Provision no. 4 is "Musical entertainment should not take place for more than two hours at any one location. It should not be repeated at that location or within 50 metres of it within three hours." The eigth and final item on the list reminds entertainers that they need a street trading licence if they wish to sell items such as pre-recorded cassettes. I would think that regulation is true of most places, though it may not be much enforced.

Ireland- no problems Derry, Limerick but restrictions in Dublin I believe

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 09:02 AM

The Covent Garden area of London did require busking permits - I used to have one. These were issued free of charge, but an audition was required to prove that you were good enough. Performers then had to book their slot with the duty organiser. I don't know if this has changed, but I expect that the required standard is higher than it was in my day !

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: BanjoRay
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 12:11 PM

I'm intending to do a little busking in Doncaster to raise some money for the young son of a friend who needs to go to the Peto Institute in Hungary for a long time. I made some inquiries with a policeman friend, and he told me today that there would be no problem. You go to Scarborough House on Chequer Road and fill in a form, and they give you a permit. Apparantly, if they think you're good entertainment they'll even give you some expenses! That implies an audition - ooer!
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Marion
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:07 PM

Alanabit, how do they know if you busk more than half a day a week in Munich?

In Toronto, busking on the street is fine; the only confrontation I've had was with a bank security guard. You need to do an audition and buy a licence to play on the subway, but some find it worth the risk to busk there without a licence.

In Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) most of the street is fine, including the Byward Market area, but you need a licence to busk on the Sparks Street pedestrian mall.

Any experiences in Prague or elsewhere in the Czech Republic, anyone?

Marion

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 02:38 PM

They know because you have to get a "Sonderbenutzungserlaubnis" to play and you can only get one for half a day a week. The police have strict instructions to clear the town of any musicians who do not have one. On the whole, if a businessman, resident or even stallholder orders a policeman to remove a busker, the policeman has to do it. However, as long as you don't annoy them, most policemen in most towns are not on a mission to persecute buskers. Even if they have to come, they do not usually race to the scene of the "crime" with blue lights flashing. You don't need to be a folk hero to busk here!

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Marion
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 03:14 PM

Thanks Alanabit. How much hassle is involved in getting a Sonder thingy for Munich? Half a day may be all I want to busk there anyway.
My other question about Germany (Munich and elsewhere) is, what risks are involved in busking without a Sonder thingy? Would I just be asked to leave, or would I be deported or executed or something?

Who's been busking in France? Any advice on good towns, legal issues?

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: alanabit
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 03:41 PM

In München, when I got one back in 1984 (it is still licensed) you had to get up early in the morning and get in the queue at the "Rathaus". I assume your sister speaks German, so she can make a couple of telephone calls to the "Stadtverwaltung" for you to find out. In most German towns you do not require a licence. I used to love playing in Passau and Nürnberg, which in addition to being lovely cities, are only a morning's train ride from München. The uniformed cops are unlikely to bother you much, even if you are in breach of local byelaws. As long as you are polite and upfront with them, they won't give you much trouble. I have had policeman remove drunks from my show, request encores, compliment me, throw money and even tell the crowd off for being too thrifty. That won't all happen to you on the same day, but you do not need to go out worried about them. If anybody who is not in uniform comes to ask questions, ask them politely but firmly to show their ID. Some towns I have enjoyed playing in the South are Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Passau, Nürnberg, Freiberg and Würzburg. In the North I like Aachen (only evenings), Köln, Dortmund, Essen and almost anywhere in the Ruhrgebiet. If you promise on your Granny's virtue not to reveal them to anyone else, I'll let you know about a couple of my secret small towns near here. However, I'm buggered if I'm posting them on an open forum!

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Marion
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 11:30 AM

Alanabit, the whole reason I got into music was so that I wouldn't have to get up early in the morning! I think I'll just go the outlaw route and see what happens.

My secret small towns are Westport and Perth, Ontario. But I will PM you for your secrets.

Marion

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 03:10 PM

This is what age and experience do to you Marion. Once you have had children, you are grateful for a couple of hours sleep at any time of day or night! You are in time for busking if you get to most town centres by ten or eleven. I guess that München will have to wait to hear you until you are ready to do the concert halls!

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: hacksawbob
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 03:36 PM

Busked around the U.k. mainly in the North West with mixed results. I've never been moved on by the Police. Usually a high street which initially may seem open season, suddnely becomes very hostile once you get an instrument out. Beggars/homeless people frequntly see a stretch of high street as their patch and will defend it strongly. Preston was the worst for this. Pivate security guards sre the next problem. Quite often a shopping center will own the pavement outside and will threaten to call the police if you dont move. Add keeping a healthy distance from other buskers and there's not much high street left.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 04:53 PM

I would check the legality of the security guard's claims there mate. Even if the Old Bill do come (and they often have to if businessmen give the order) they don't often come with flashing blue lights to nick buskers. I never back down to beggars. They are in a different line of business.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: winterchild
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 05:08 PM

In Charlotte, NC, I don't think they permit it (or else it's not worth it); the city is fussy about keeping its sidewalks clear (very boring city culturally) and I've just realized I've never seen any buskers or street musicians there!
That's what you get when you let the banks take over your city~

WinterC

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: GUEST,weary traveller
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 06:01 AM

had no problems in Netherlands Dec 2002 Jan 2003, Amsterdam and coast
In Amsterdam the police drove past, once walked past and said hello

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Sam L
Date: 30 May 03 - 10:40 AM

I never see anyone playing anywhere here in Louisville, KY USA. But was thinking of trying it a bit this summer. I don't know what the law is, but thought I might try asking at local businesses with good locations, maybe with a cd.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From:
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 03:42 PM

I need to know how to get a busking licence in Scotland ?? help plz e-mail me!

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 06:47 PM

In Brisbane Aust,

City made a big fuss about being some sort of "City of Buskers" crap during 1988 EXPO, but...

City Mall:

Audition - conducted only about 4 times year. Tried playing Low Whistle at about 7:30-8am -ish (my slot) in middle of winter (fingers didn't actually break off!) - tall buildings keep mall in shadow - also no idea (especially from watching successful applicants) - what goddam standards are appplied by peole with unknown qualifications to judge...

If successful, they charge a hefty fee, plus a hefty fee per week/month - and you can buy a permit in advance for months....

No Flames, no Sharp thingies, no amplification, no loud noise, no talent (sorry), - have to compete with permanent Musak, etc.

One blind guy complete with orange sunnies and guide dog has played his Sax for many years - the Council cancelled his permit and kicked him out - there was public outrage on TV and papers - they let him back.

~~~~~
South Bank Parklands - buggered if I know, they ask you to leave a message and then never ring you back.

~~~~~~
Valley Mall.

most of connupitions of City Mall, but they charge less - also less possibility of income due to clientele...

~~~~

Some buskers seem to make a go of it - without permits - in some of the tunnels near the Central Railway Station. Interesting acoustics in the tunnels.

There are other places around, but I have no real details, some markets even pay performers - the Valley Mall Market does on occassions.

Positives: Generally good weather though...

Robin

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: masha
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 02:02 PM

Can we get an update on current Busking Laws?

If you know the requirements for a certain city or spot, add it to the list. (Don't forget to add the country, if it's not obvious).
Example:
   Abcville, Calif. - License required, apply at city hall. $150 annual fee. No amplification.
   Deftown, Somerset, UK - No specific laws.
   ...etc.
   
We'll assume that these basics apply, unless otherwise posted:
- Never block the sidewalk/pavement.
- Never block a shop entrance and try not to obstruct a shop display window.
- If asked to move by the police, Do it. Politely, quickly, pleasantly.

It would also be really nice if people added suggestions for good places to play in different towns, such as "Try the corner of Main Street & Townhall Road", or "avoid the front of Such-and-Such shop, the owner hates buskers".

- masha (who did a lot of busking in Paris & Bath, but a loooooong time ago)

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: oggie
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 02:16 PM

York (UK) requires a licence and if you want to sell CDs a Street Trading Licence (£35 per day). If you cause an obstruction or a shop or office complains you will be moved on. Amplification only allowed in some areas and not near the Minster or St Helen's Square.

Steve

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: Folkiedave
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 02:26 PM

We (Sheffield City Morris)used to dance outside the Minster because it was NOT under the control of the council. Just about everywhere else was and they would not give permission.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: GUEST,Jeff Williams
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 11:06 PM

WinterChild , Busking in Charlotte NC USA is not a problem at all.
You don't even need a license unless you have an amplifier.
The down side is .. you DO NEED and amplifier to be heard over the noise and there are not a lot of places to play .. AND i don't think the people are very generous.
Your looked down on as a bum ..
ALSO: the laws state that you must play on public property and not impede the movement of traffic or pedestrians.

You apply for license with the transportation office.
** which i thought was kind of odd .. **

I've yet to contact them about cost involved in amplified license.
Also there are restrictions based on the total WATTS of power and volume of the music in decibels .
The city is noisy with many construction sites .. i can't imagine what they would consider to be too loud ..
and again ... if your awesome .. nobody will really care as long as you have a permit.

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: GUEST,Free Willy
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 11:52 PM

Unless you are a girl...Busk ANYWHERE in the world...outside of Mexico in 2009

And you will be rolling in the dough, doing just fine.

Busk after the noon and before night's nine.

If you are arrested be thankful for a cot

And a sandwhich, perhaps even a hot

They are not allowed to take the cash you now got.

But you gotta be good or the boys in hood will make it understood...who is de man.

Beware of the gypsy and all of there clan
They have the spans of the world in hand.
Watch the beggin refrain in the closed coaches of trains.
But a quick ditty that is witty will make a sum that is pretty between terminals.

Sincerely,
Billy Boy set Free from Hillary B

Subject: RE: Busking permits
From: GUEST,Billy Boy
Date: 27 Feb 09 - 12:03 AM

If you are female....avoid ALL Muselim countries....and any Muselim sections of other countries (i.e. Israel or Parkistan or Phillipines and especially all of North Africa)the expectation of the police and the local inforcment is that you are a prostitute and the penalities are stringent and administered according to religous law.

You may also want to avoid those sections of public housing associated with Muselims in the Netherland, England and France. These area frequently have local enforcment by the unemployed citizens. Consult a demographic census map and overlay it to the public transportation system.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,How Sponge Bob Got His Name
Date: 27 Feb 09 - 05:07 AM

Times are hard and the competition is Angry, Locals rule the roost

CALIFORNIA
Santa Monica Pier

If you are a performer, there are three ways you can perform on the pier. A street performer's permit is required if you would like to perform for no cost (your revenue would be donation based). If you would like a bigger venue, you can contact Rusty's Surf Ranch. Rusty's is a restaurant that provides as a live music venue. If you would like to perform as a part of the Twilight Dance Series, contact [e-mail].

A street performer's permit can be obtained at City Hall Permits Office, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The contact phone number is 310-458-8745. The fee is $37 for a street performer's permit.

On Venice Beach California

The Spongers will steal all of your profits. Even a good hat-man cannot glean profits when they sponge from three sides at once. The Spongers are good mimes and appear to be part of YOUR act....they are really, really good on Venice Beach CA.   Many of the best performers have carved their niche in the wall of gigs for over a decade...newcomers are not welcome...the Right of Pitch is maintained by strong-arm tactics and the sponges are a good part of it. If you want to move off the strand two blocks east...no problem....but little traffic...or money.


Free But You Gotta Register http://acousticguitartalktalktalk.yuku.com/

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Feb 09 - 01:40 PM

it used to be legal to busk in Cambridge.,without a permit .

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,Debora Lyra
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 12:54 PM

Please!!! Who know, help to upgrade these informations...
Me and my husband are thinking to go busking in Germany, Paris, Sweden or Danimark this summer, but I don't find the rules...

Here in Italy you can busking mostle in pedonal area (anda there are a lot) but you need a license. This license is free end easy to get. You just need to go to the local police called " vigili ", show your documents and fill a form.

Good luck for everybody.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: InOBU
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 07:29 PM

Been busking most of my life, in Ireland, England, Canada, the US, wont ever get a licence, or be answerable to any but those who listen. When busking is successfully stopped by any but those with a licence I'll move on to where it is still free, I'm a free born man and my music is older than the bloody state.
Arrak sa jas

Keep music the property of the people


lorcan

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,sarah in Newcastle
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 07:41 AM

Been busking in Bristol, Bath, Tenby, Newcastle and Durham no license required unless you want to busk in the metro stations in Newcastle, all you have to do is go to Nexus house and fill in a form then you can book your pitch (24 hrs in advance)
Bath and Tenby were the best for me, but anywhere is good really if the weather is ok!

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 08:29 AM

If you are female....avoid ALL Muselim countries....and any Muselim sections of other countries (i.e. Israel or Parkistan or Phillipines and especially all of North Africa)the expectation of the police and the local inforcment is that you are a prostitute and the penalities are stringent and administered according to religous law.

As far as Turkey is concerned: bollocks. There are lots of women buskers in the centre of Istanbul. The municipality runs a training school for blind buskers (usually equipping them with a small portable PA) and a sizable proportion of those are women.

I haven't seen buskers much outside Istanbul. Antalya should be okay. I think I've seen them in Urfa but cities in Kurdistan have more endemic paranoia than most people would want to deal with.

The problem is that only Turkish music gets an audience. I've seen one guy with a guitar doing standard Western stuff in the centre of Istanbul, in a location that should have got an audience for it if anywhere would, and he wasn't doing very well.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,Tone Deaf Leopard
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 05:53 PM

We were moved on at Broadstairs Festival (UK) a few years ago, despite having an official collecting tin. Apparently you can stand and busk, or use your own chair, but you can't use the promenade or park seats, as they are Council property. We got busking passes made by the Festival Staff, and had no more trouble.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,laura
Date: 27 May 09 - 01:48 PM

Hiya! Do you have to be a resident of Italy to get a license to busk in Venice?
Thank you
Laura

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 07:45 PM

Hey,

I've been busking in Newcastle for just under two years now, to my knowledge you don't need a license however, just tonight I was told by some policemen that you did though they didnt seem to know a lot about it? I'm a little confused, if anyone knows what the deal is let me know!?!?

Jordan

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 07:52 PM

Ask them next time if they know what such a licence looks like.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,alex
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 04:38 PM

what about toronto canada? i heard theres a legal spot on queen some where and id like to find out more specifics

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: goatfell
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 04:56 AM

do you need a permit to busk in SCOTLAND?

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 04:34 PM

According to a post on Yahoo Answers the answer is that it is covered by local bylaws not by a national law.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:06 PM

I have never heard of a busker's permit in Scotland and I very much doubt if any policeman would know what one looked like.

There are some specific places in Scotland that are covered by local legislation which is probably of dubious validity if anyone wanted to spend the money challenging it. Edinburgh High Street during the Festival is the big one - they organize the place into specific "stages" during the day, with performance slots allocated. I think you have to be a paid-up Fringe act to get a slot. But 20 yards away from that area and you can do what you like.

I suspect you'd get bounced instantly if you tried busking in front of one the main stages at T in the Park, too.

Some people have been moved on under general nuisance legislation. People live in the upper High Street and the ever-increasing number of bagpipe buskers was getting beyond a joke. (This isn't some ancient time-honoured tradition, it's a way of extracting money from tourists that developed in the 1990s).

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: meself
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:53 PM

As for Toronto - since no one who's closer to the action seems to be responding - as far as I know, which is from about here to the door, you don't need any kind of a permit, unless you are going to busk in the subway. Having said that, it's been many years since I busked there, so things may have changed, but if so, I haven't heard about it.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,Yam Digger
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 10:51 PM

Actually, you do need a permit to busk on Toronto streets. It costs $35. You don't have to audition though, you just pay and play. To play in Torontos subways is a different story. You need to audition for that.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,William
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 05:04 AM

I'm a live statue and i tried to busk today at South Bank in Brisbane. They told me to go to Roma St to get a license, yet when i went there they told me it was the wrong place as they only dealt with Queen St and Fortitude Valley. Any help?

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,S-j in Newcastle
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 06:34 AM

Hi, I'm going to be in London for work for 5 weeks but am really broke and need to go busking until am paid!
Does anyone know of any good busking places in London ( I understand Covent Garden one only Auditions once in a while) so maybe somewhere where you dont have to audition as I am down next week and need to get out righgt away to enable self to get to job!!

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,GUEST, Jordan Little
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 09:59 AM

Any chance anyone could email me the busking laws regarding Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and Italy to [e-mail]?

Thanks! :)

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 10:24 AM

If anybody knew that, they wouldn't be sending it by private email, they'd be posting the links here.

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 06:56 AM

hi i'd just like to know how much a busking licence is because i have been lookin on various websites and have found nothing. Many thanks!

Subject: RE: Busking permits (in various locations)
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 04:02 PM

Where?
This is an international forum and in many jurisdictions busking regulations are set at a municipal level.