From 1 January 2007, smoking is prohibited in all parts of LCSD performing arts venues, unless as an integral part of the performance exempted under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371).

Drinking of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in the auditorium, stage or backstage areas.

Any on-site donation activities of charitable nature in the hired facilities require a Public Subscription Permit from the Social Welfare Department or of non-charitable nature, from the Home Affairs Department (tel: 2835 1492) before the production commences. Application download here:

Any lottery activities in the hired facilities require a Lottery License from the Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority before the production commences .

Any film, slide or video showing in the foyer or auditorium areas must have been submitted to the Television & Entertainment License Authority, and any necessary license obtained and exhibited, before the production commences.

Any organization intending to allow children under the age of 15 to appear on stage in a performance is required to notify the Labour Department 14 days before the commencement of the performance using a standard notification form (CEF-6).

Attendants or Chaperones shall be deployed by the organizer when the performance(s) include children on stage. A minimum of one attendant/chaperone per 50 children is required.

Any organization arranging performances involving overseas artists, musicians, technicians or any workers is required to apply for work visas from the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Any music and/or songs not registered under CASH to be played or sung in performance(s) require a copyright permit from its composer and author. Any music and/or songs register under CASH is required to submit application form to CASH.

Standard house rule recordings must generally be played by the venue prior to the performance start. Exception can be made when the house rule is printed in the house programme, or the house rule is to be announced by the hirer by means of narrator, MC, V/O or manner otherwise agreed in advance by the venue management.

Technical Operating Requirements

All scenery, props and equipment brought in to any performing arts venue must meet all applicable regulations

The Safety Curtain must be lowered every day when all performances/activities are finished. Scenery shall not be placed under the Safety Curtain. Any obstructing scenery, prop or equipment must be loose or transient. The Safety Curtain is not for use a a performannce drop, but may on occassions be used in an interval to cover noisy technical work.

In general, all scenery shall be fireproof, but scenery constructed with paper must have a flameproof treatment.

Inflammable spray painting is not permitted in any part of any performing arts venue.

No nails larger than 10d (Φ3.5mm, & 80mm(L)) or screws larger than No. 8 (Φ4mm & 26mm(L)) are permitted to be fixed into the hardboard stage surface. No staples, headless nails or nails driven by pneumatic hammer are permitted. All nails and screws are to be removed by the hirer after the production.Fixings of any kind are not permitted into the concert platform of the City Hall Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall and Tuen Mun Town Hall.

Any temporary structure built in LCSD performing arts venues shall allow an unobstructed gangway not less than 1.2-1.5m as a path towards any exit door. All temporary stairs, ramps, platforms, landings, balconies, and galleries built in the auditorium as part of the performance design, exceeding 0.38m in height and accessible to the public should be provided with an appropriate barrier handrail.

Any independent moving scenic structure shall have a safe base to height ratio of 1:3, or other mitigating design and construction factors rendering it stable; otherwise a surveyor’s report on stability will be required.

No house equipment or furniture such as chairs, tables, pianos, choir risers, etc., is permitted to be used as props or set pieces on stage.

Any brought-in electrical installation/equipment shall be mechanically and electrically safe and suitable for its intended use in stage performance. Plugged installations/equipment to a socket outlet are considered non-fixed installations. Wiring work on MCB boards down-stream of any plug and socket connection shall only be carried out by a Registered Electrical Worker. Electrical connection work to the venue fixed installation shall only be undertaken by a Registered Electrical Worker and/or contractor (company) and will require a work completion certificate (WR1).

Only competent personnel will be permitted to operate sound board, light board, followspots, rigging equipment, projection equipment, etc. Where permitted, such person(s) shall undertake all the responsibility for the safe use and continued good condition of the equipment under their operation.

Any use of lit candle shall be kept 1.00m away from costumes, curtains, draperies and other scenery, and requires application and permission in advance from the venue management. The venue manager reserves all rights to request the hirer to perform any flameproof treatment and provide a relevant certificate whenever reasonably necessary. Application download here: Lit Candle(s) Application

Any use of lit torch shall be kept 1.00m away from costumes, curtains, draperies and other scenery and requires application and permission in advance from the venue management. The venue manager reserves all rights to request the hirer to perform any flameproof treatment and provide a relevant certificate whenever reasonably necessary. Application download here: Lit Torch(es) Application

Subject to appropriate grid, harness, and hardware condition, any human flying mechanism requires a surveyor’s report every time the mechanism is rigged in any LCSD performing arts venues.

All brought-in laser product(s) shall carry appropriate label(s) to international/national standards. Different styles and requirements of labels may apply for different standards.

Application for Use of Laser:

The hirer is responsible to remove from the stage within the hired booking session all props and/or scenery after the last rehearsal or performance.

Other Licensing Requirements

Notification form download here:

Application form for a Discharge Permit (Stream A/B) download here: