diff --git a/doc/source/config/job.rst b/doc/source/config/job.rst
index e27e6d205a..435d68e7e7 100644
--- a/doc/source/config/job.rst
+++ b/doc/source/config/job.rst
@@ -483,48 +483,164 @@ Here is an example of two job definitions:
    .. attr:: pre-run
 
       The name of a playbook or list of playbooks to run before the
-      main body of a job.  The full path to the playbook in the repo
-      where the job is defined is expected.
+      main body of a job.  Values are either a string describing the
+      full path to the playbook in the repo where the job is defined,
+      or a dictionary described below.
 
       When a job inherits from a parent, the child's pre-run playbooks
       are run after the parent's.  See :ref:`job` for more
       information.
 
+      If the value is a dictionary, the following attributes are
+      available:
+
+      .. attr:: name
+
+         The path to the playbook relative to the root of the repo.
+
+      .. attr:: semaphore
+
+         The name of a :ref:`semaphore` (or list of them) or
+         :ref:`global_semaphore` which should be acquired and released
+         when the playbook begins and ends.  If the semaphore is at
+         maximum capacity, then Zuul will wait until it can be
+         acquired before starting the playbook. The format is either a
+         string, or a list of strings.
+
+         If multiple semaphores are requested, the playbook will not
+         start until all have been acquired, and Zuul will wait until
+         all are available before acquiring any.  The time spent
+         waiting for pre-run playbook semaphores is counted against
+         the :attr:`job.timeout`.
+
+         None of the semaphores specified for a playbook may also be
+         specified in the same job.
+
    .. attr:: post-run
 
       The name of a playbook or list of playbooks to run after the
-      main body of a job.  The full path to the playbook in the repo
-      where the job is defined is expected.
+      main body of a job.  Values are either a string describing the
+      full path to the playbook in the repo where the job is defined,
+      or a dictionary described below.
 
-      When a job inherits from a parent, the child's post-run
-      playbooks are run before the parent's.  See :ref:`job` for more
+      When a job inherits from a parent, the child's post-run playbooks
+      are run before the parent's.  See :ref:`job` for more
       information.
 
+      If the value is a dictionary, the following attributes are
+      available:
+
+      .. attr:: name
+
+         The path to the playbook relative to the root of the repo.
+
+      .. attr:: semaphore
+
+         The name of a :ref:`semaphore` (or list of them) or
+         :ref:`global_semaphore` which should be acquired and released
+         when the playbook begins and ends.  If the semaphore is at
+         maximum capacity, then Zuul will wait until it can be
+         acquired before starting the playbook. The format is either a
+         string, or a list of strings.
+
+         If multiple semaphores are requested, the playbook will not
+         start until all have been acquired, and Zuul will wait until
+         all are available before acquiring any.  The time spent
+         waiting for post-run playbook semaphores is counted against
+         the :attr:`job.post-timeout`.
+
+         None of the semaphores specified for a playbook may also be
+         specified in the same job.
+
    .. attr:: cleanup-run
 
-      The name of a playbook or list of playbooks to run after a job
-      execution. The full path to the playbook in the repo
-      where the job is defined is expected.
+      The name of a playbook or list of playbooks to run after job
+      execution.  Values are either a string describing the full path
+      to the playbook in the repo where the job is defined, or a
+      dictionary described below.
 
-      The cleanup phase is performed unconditionally of the job's result,
-      even when the job is canceled. Cleanup results are not taken into
-      account.
+      The cleanup phase is performed regardless of the job's result,
+      even when the job is canceled.  Cleanup results are not taken
+      into account when reporting the job result.
 
-      When a job inherits from a parent, the child's cleanup-run
-      playbooks are run before the parent's.  See :ref:`job` for more
+      When a job inherits from a parent, the child's cleanup-run playbooks
+      are run before the parent's.  See :ref:`job` for more
       information.
 
+      There is a hard-coded five minute timeout for cleanup playbooks.
+
+      If the value is a dictionary, the following attributes are
+      available:
+
+      .. attr:: name
+
+         The path to the playbook relative to the root of the repo.
+
+      .. attr:: semaphore
+
+         The name of a :ref:`semaphore` (or list of them) or
+         :ref:`global_semaphore` which should be acquired and released
+         when the playbook begins and ends.  If the semaphore is at
+         maximum capacity, then Zuul will wait until it can be
+         acquired before starting the playbook. The format is either a
+         string, or a list of strings.
+
+         If multiple semaphores are requested, the playbook will not
+         start until all have been acquired, and Zuul will wait until
+         all are available before acquiring any.  The time spent
+         waiting for post-run playbook semaphores is counted against
+         the cleanup phase timeout.
+
+         None of the semaphores specified for a playbook may also be
+         specified in the same job.
+
    .. attr:: run
 
       The name of a playbook or list of playbooks for this job.  If it
-      is not supplied, the parent's playbook will be used (and likewise
-      up the inheritance chain).  The full path within the repo is
-      required.  Example:
+      is not supplied, the parent's playbook will be used (and
+      likewise up the inheritance chain).  Values are either a string
+      describing the full path to the playbook in the repo where the
+      job is defined, or a dictionary described below.
+
+      If the value is a dictionary, the following attributes are
+      available:
+
+      .. attr:: name
+
+         The path to the playbook relative to the root of the repo.
+
+      .. attr:: semaphore
+
+         The name of a :ref:`semaphore` (or list of them) or
+         :ref:`global_semaphore` which should be acquired and released
+         when the playbook begins and ends.  If the semaphore is at
+         maximum capacity, then Zuul will wait until it can be
+         acquired before starting the playbook. The format is either a
+         string, or a list of strings.
+
+         If multiple semaphores are requested, the playbook will not
+         start until all have been acquired, and Zuul will wait until
+         all are available before acquiring any.  The time spent
+         waiting for run playbook semaphores is counted against
+         the :attr:`job.timeout`.
+
+         None of the semaphores specified for a playbook may also be
+         specified in the same job.
+
+      Example:
 
       .. code-block:: yaml
 
          run: playbooks/job-playbook.yaml
 
+      Or:
+
+      .. code-block:: yaml
+
+         run:
+           - name: playbooks/job-playbook.yaml
+             semaphores: playbook-semaphore
+
    .. attr:: ansible-version
 
       The ansible version to use for all playbooks of the job. This can be
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/playbook-semaphore-0dc1ee618ef77678.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/playbook-semaphore-0dc1ee618ef77678.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77515f3a0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/playbook-semaphore-0dc1ee618ef77678.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Individual playbooks may now be wrapped by a semaphore.  Zuul will
+    start the job and proceed up to the point of a playbook which
+    requires a semaphore and then wait until it is able to aquire the
+    semaphore before proceeding.  It releases the semaphore after the
+    end of that individual playbook.
+
+    The same semaphore may be used for both jobs and playbooks, but an
+    individual job may not use the same semaphore for both purposes.
diff --git a/tests/base.py b/tests/base.py
index e052e37297..50de84d610 100644
--- a/tests/base.py
+++ b/tests/base.py
@@ -3257,6 +3257,7 @@ class FakeBuild(object):
 
 class RecordingAnsibleJob(zuul.executor.server.AnsibleJob):
     result = None
+    semaphore_sleep_time = 5
 
     def _execute(self):
         for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'wait for merge'):
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/common-config/playbooks/run.yaml b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/common-config/playbooks/run.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9d92e1c60f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/common-config/playbooks/run.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+- hosts: all
+  tasks:
+    - debug: var=waitpath
+    - file:
+        path: "{{zuul._test.test_root}}/builds/{{zuul.build}}.run_start.flag"
+        state: touch
+    # Do not finish until test creates the flag file
+    - wait_for:
+        state: present
+        path: "{{waitpath}}"
+    - file:
+        path: "{{zuul._test.test_root}}/builds/{{zuul.build}}.run_end.flag"
+        state: touch
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/common-config/zuul.yaml b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/common-config/zuul.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c8a85d7af6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/common-config/zuul.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+- pipeline:
+    name: check
+    manager: independent
+    post-review: true
+    trigger:
+      gerrit:
+        - event: patchset-created
+    success:
+      gerrit:
+        Verified: 1
+    failure:
+      gerrit:
+        Verified: -1
+
+- job:
+    name: base
+    parent: null
+    nodeset:
+      nodes:
+        - name: test_node
+          label: test_label
+
+- semaphore:
+    name: test-semaphore
+
+- job:
+    name: test-job
+    vars:
+      waitpath: '{{zuul._test.test_root}}/builds/{{zuul.build}}/test_wait'
+    run:
+      - name: playbooks/run.yaml
+        semaphores: test-semaphore
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/org_project/.zuul.yaml b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/org_project/.zuul.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f8c86c5bb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/org_project/.zuul.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+- project:
+    name: org/project
+    check:
+      jobs:
+        - test-job
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/org_project/README b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/org_project/README
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9daeafb986
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/git/org_project/README
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+test
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/main.yaml b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/main.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..208e274b13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/config/playbook-semaphore/main.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+- tenant:
+    name: tenant-one
+    source:
+      gerrit:
+        config-projects:
+          - common-config
+        untrusted-projects:
+          - org/project
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_model.py b/tests/unit/test_model.py
index c88a7bd95d..261d08af40 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_model.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_model.py
@@ -53,8 +53,10 @@ class TestJob(BaseTestCase):
         self.connection = Dummy(connection_name='dummy_connection')
         self.source = Dummy(canonical_hostname='git.example.com',
                             connection=self.connection)
+        self.abide = model.Abide()
         self.tenant = model.Tenant('tenant')
         self.tenant.default_ansible_version = AnsibleManager().default_version
+        self.tenant.semaphore_handler = Dummy(abide=self.abide)
         self.layout = model.Layout(self.tenant)
         self.tenant.layout = self.layout
         self.project = model.Project('project', self.source)
@@ -129,16 +131,18 @@ class TestJob(BaseTestCase):
         # This simulates freezing a job.
 
         secrets = ['foo']
-        py27_pre = model.PlaybookContext(self.context, 'py27-pre', [], secrets)
-        py27_run = model.PlaybookContext(self.context, 'py27-run', [], secrets)
-        py27_post = model.PlaybookContext(self.context, 'py27-post', [],
-                                          secrets)
+        py27_pre = model.PlaybookContext(
+            self.context, 'py27-pre', [], secrets, [])
+        py27_run = model.PlaybookContext(
+            self.context, 'py27-run', [], secrets, [])
+        py27_post = model.PlaybookContext(
+            self.context, 'py27-post', [], secrets, [])
 
         py27 = model.Job('py27')
         py27.timeout = 30
-        py27.pre_run = [py27_pre]
-        py27.run = [py27_run]
-        py27.post_run = [py27_post]
+        py27.pre_run = (py27_pre,)
+        py27.run = (py27_run,)
+        py27.post_run = (py27_post,)
 
         job = py27.copy()
         self.assertEqual(30, job.timeout)
@@ -146,7 +150,7 @@ class TestJob(BaseTestCase):
         # Apply the diablo variant
         diablo = model.Job('py27')
         diablo.timeout = 40
-        job.applyVariant(diablo, self.layout)
+        job.applyVariant(diablo, self.layout, None)
 
         self.assertEqual(40, job.timeout)
         self.assertEqual(['py27-pre'],
@@ -165,7 +169,7 @@ class TestJob(BaseTestCase):
 
         good_final = model.Job('py27')
         good_final.voting = False
-        job.applyVariant(good_final, self.layout)
+        job.applyVariant(good_final, self.layout, None)
         self.assertFalse(job.voting)
 
         bad_final = model.Job('py27')
@@ -173,7 +177,7 @@ class TestJob(BaseTestCase):
         with testtools.ExpectedException(
                 Exception,
                 "Unable to modify final job"):
-            job.applyVariant(bad_final, self.layout)
+            job.applyVariant(bad_final, self.layout, None)
 
     @mock.patch("zuul.model.zkobject.ZKObject._save")
     def test_job_inheritance_job_tree(self, save_mock):
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_v3.py b/tests/unit/test_v3.py
index aa00e733fc..52c596bd80 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_v3.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_v3.py
@@ -4325,6 +4325,245 @@ class TestCleanupPlaybooks(AnsibleZuulTestCase):
         self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(post_end))
 
 
+class TestPlaybookSemaphore(AnsibleZuulTestCase):
+    tenant_config_file = 'config/playbook-semaphore/main.yaml'
+
+    def test_playbook_semaphore(self):
+        self.executor_server.verbose = True
+        A = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'A')
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(A.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job started'):
+            if len(self.builds) == 1:
+                break
+        build1 = self.builds[0]
+
+        # Wait for the first job to be running the mutexed playbook
+        run1_start = os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build1.uuid +
+                                  '.run_start.flag')
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job1 running'):
+            if os.path.exists(run1_start):
+                break
+
+        # Start a second build which should wait for the playbook
+        B = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'B')
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(B.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+
+        # Wait until we are waiting for the playbook
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job2 waiting for semaphore'):
+            found = False
+            if len(self.builds) == 2:
+                build2 = self.builds[1]
+                for job_worker in self.executor_server.job_workers.values():
+                    if job_worker.build_request.uuid == build2.uuid:
+                        if job_worker.waiting_for_semaphores:
+                            found = True
+            if found:
+                break
+
+        # Wait for build1 to finish
+        with open(os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build1.uuid, 'test_wait'),
+                  "w") as of:
+            of.write("continue")
+
+        # Wait for the second job to be running the mutexed playbook
+        run2_start = os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build2.uuid +
+                                  '.run_start.flag')
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job2 running'):
+            if os.path.exists(run2_start):
+                break
+
+        # Release build2 and wait to finish
+        with open(os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build2.uuid, 'test_wait'),
+                  "w") as of:
+            of.write("continue")
+        self.waitUntilSettled()
+
+        self.assertHistory([
+            dict(name='test-job', result='SUCCESS', changes='1,1'),
+            dict(name='test-job', result='SUCCESS', changes='2,1'),
+        ])
+
+    def test_playbook_and_job_semaphore_runtime(self):
+        # Test that a playbook does not specify the same semaphore as
+        # the job.  Test via inheritance which is a runtime check.
+        in_repo_conf = textwrap.dedent(
+            """
+            - job:
+                name: test-job2
+                parent: test-job
+                semaphore: test-semaphore
+
+            - project:
+                check:
+                  jobs:
+                    - test-job2
+            """)
+
+        file_dict = {'.zuul.yaml': in_repo_conf}
+        A = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'A',
+                                           files=file_dict)
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(A.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+        self.waitUntilSettled()
+
+        self.assertHistory([])
+        self.assertEqual(A.reported, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(A.patchsets[0]['approvals'][0]['value'], "-1")
+        self.assertIn('both job and playbook', A.messages[0])
+
+    def test_playbook_and_job_semaphore_def(self):
+        # Test that a playbook does not specify the same semaphore as
+        # the job.  Static configuration test.
+        in_repo_conf = textwrap.dedent(
+            """
+            - job:
+                name: test-job2
+                semaphore: test-semaphore
+                run:
+                  - name: playbooks/run.yaml
+                    semaphores: test-semaphore
+
+            - project:
+                check:
+                  jobs:
+                    - test-job2
+            """)
+
+        file_dict = {'.zuul.yaml': in_repo_conf}
+        A = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'A',
+                                           files=file_dict)
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(A.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+        self.waitUntilSettled()
+
+        self.assertHistory([])
+        self.assertEqual(A.reported, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(A.patchsets[0]['approvals'][0]['value'], "-1")
+        self.assertIn('both job and playbook', A.messages[0])
+
+    def test_playbook_semaphore_timeout(self):
+        self.wait_timeout = 300
+        self.executor_server.verbose = True
+        A = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'A')
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(A.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job started'):
+            if len(self.builds) == 1:
+                break
+        build1 = self.builds[0]
+
+        # Wait for the first job to be running the mutexed playbook
+        run1_start = os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build1.uuid +
+                                  '.run_start.flag')
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job1 running'):
+            if os.path.exists(run1_start):
+                break
+
+        # Start a second build which should wait for the playbook
+        in_repo_conf = textwrap.dedent(
+            """
+            - project:
+                check:
+                  jobs:
+                    - test-job:
+                        timeout: 20
+            """)
+
+        file_dict = {'.zuul.yaml': in_repo_conf}
+        B = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'B',
+                                           files=file_dict)
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(B.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+
+        # Wait until we are waiting for the playbook
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job2 waiting for semaphore'):
+            found = False
+            if len(self.builds) == 2:
+                build2 = self.builds[1]
+                for job_worker in self.executor_server.job_workers.values():
+                    if job_worker.build_request.uuid == build2.uuid:
+                        if job_worker.waiting_for_semaphores:
+                            found = True
+            if found:
+                break
+
+        # Wait for the second build to timeout waiting for the semaphore
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'build timed out'):
+            if len(self.builds) == 1:
+                break
+
+        # Wait for build1 to finish
+        with open(os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build1.uuid, 'test_wait'),
+                  "w") as of:
+            of.write("continue")
+
+        self.waitUntilSettled()
+
+        self.assertHistory([
+            dict(name='test-job', result='TIMED_OUT', changes='2,1'),
+            dict(name='test-job', result='SUCCESS', changes='1,1'),
+        ])
+
+    def test_playbook_semaphore_abort(self):
+        self.wait_timeout = 300
+        self.executor_server.verbose = True
+        A = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'A')
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(A.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job started'):
+            if len(self.builds) == 1:
+                break
+        build1 = self.builds[0]
+
+        # Wait for the first job to be running the mutexed playbook
+        run1_start = os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build1.uuid +
+                                  '.run_start.flag')
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job1 running'):
+            if os.path.exists(run1_start):
+                break
+
+        # Start a second build which should wait for the playbook
+        B = self.fake_gerrit.addFakeChange('org/project', 'master', 'B')
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(B.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(1))
+
+        # Wait until we are waiting for the playbook
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'job2 waiting for semaphore'):
+            found = False
+            if len(self.builds) == 2:
+                build2 = self.builds[1]
+                for job_worker in self.executor_server.job_workers.values():
+                    if job_worker.build_request.uuid == build2.uuid:
+                        if job_worker.waiting_for_semaphores:
+                            found = True
+            if found:
+                break
+
+        in_repo_conf = textwrap.dedent(
+            """
+            - project:
+                check:
+                  jobs: []
+            """)
+
+        file_dict = {'.zuul.yaml': in_repo_conf}
+        B.addPatchset(files=file_dict)
+        self.fake_gerrit.addEvent(B.getPatchsetCreatedEvent(2))
+
+        for _ in iterate_timeout(60, 'build aborted'):
+            if len(self.builds) == 1:
+                break
+
+        # Wait for build1 to finish
+        with open(os.path.join(self.jobdir_root, build1.uuid, 'test_wait'),
+                  "w") as of:
+            of.write("continue")
+
+        self.waitUntilSettled()
+
+        self.assertHistory([
+            dict(name='test-job', result='ABORTED', changes='2,1'),
+            dict(name='test-job', result='SUCCESS', changes='1,1'),
+        ])
+
+
 class TestBrokenTrustedConfig(ZuulTestCase):
     # Test we can deal with a broken config only with trusted projects. This
     # is different then TestBrokenConfig, as it does not have a missing
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_web.py b/tests/unit/test_web.py
index ad99a975c1..3145d4a0a3 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_web.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_web.py
@@ -441,6 +441,7 @@ class TestWeb(BaseTestWeb):
                 'type': 'zuul'
             }],
             'secrets': [],
+            'semaphores': [],
             'source_context': source_ctx,
         }]
 
@@ -611,6 +612,7 @@ class TestWeb(BaseTestWeb):
                     'type': 'zuul'
                 }],
                 'secrets': [],
+                'semaphores': [],
                 'source_context': {
                     'branch': 'master',
                     'path': 'zuul.yaml',
@@ -1188,6 +1190,7 @@ class TestWeb(BaseTestWeb):
                     'project': 'common-config',
                 }],
                 'secrets': {},
+                'semaphores': [],
                 'path': 'playbooks/project-test1.yaml',
             }],
             'pre_playbooks': [],
diff --git a/zuul/configloader.py b/zuul/configloader.py
index 03953eb319..67d4494c49 100644
--- a/zuul/configloader.py
+++ b/zuul/configloader.py
@@ -633,6 +633,11 @@ class JobParser(object):
     semaphore = {vs.Required('name'): str,
                  'resources-first': bool}
 
+    complex_playbook_def = {vs.Required('name'): str,
+                            'semaphores': to_list(str)}
+
+    playbook_def = to_list(vs.Any(str, complex_playbook_def))
+
     # Attributes of a job that can also be used in Project and ProjectTemplate
     job_attributes = {'parent': vs.Any(str, None),
                       'final': bool,
@@ -661,10 +666,10 @@ class JobParser(object):
                       'timeout': int,
                       'post-timeout': int,
                       'attempts': int,
-                      'pre-run': to_list(str),
-                      'post-run': to_list(str),
-                      'run': to_list(str),
-                      'cleanup-run': to_list(str),
+                      'pre-run': playbook_def,
+                      'post-run': playbook_def,
+                      'run': playbook_def,
+                      'cleanup-run': playbook_def,
                       'ansible-version': vs.Any(str, float, int),
                       '_source_context': model.SourceContext,
                       '_start_mark': model.ZuulMark,
@@ -827,29 +832,57 @@ class JobParser(object):
             roles.insert(0, r)
         job.addRoles(roles)
 
-        for pre_run_name in as_list(conf.get('pre-run')):
+        seen_playbook_semaphores = set()
+
+        def get_playbook_attrs(playbook_defs):
+            # Helper method to extract information from a playbook
+            # defenition.
+            for pb_def in playbook_defs:
+                pb_semaphores = []
+                if isinstance(pb_def, dict):
+                    pb_name = pb_def['name']
+                    for pb_sem_name in as_list(pb_def.get('semaphores')):
+                        pb_semaphores.append(model.JobSemaphore(pb_sem_name))
+                        seen_playbook_semaphores.add(pb_sem_name)
+                else:
+                    # The playbook definition is a simple string path
+                    pb_name = pb_def
+                # Sort the list of semaphores to avoid issues with
+                # contention (where two jobs try to start at the same time
+                # and fail due to acquiring the same semaphores but in
+                # reverse order.
+                pb_semaphores = tuple(sorted(pb_semaphores,
+                                             key=lambda x: x.name))
+                yield (pb_name, pb_semaphores)
+
+        for pre_run_name, pre_run_semaphores in get_playbook_attrs(
+                as_list(conf.get('pre-run'))):
             pre_run = model.PlaybookContext(job.source_context,
                                             pre_run_name, job.roles,
-                                            secrets)
+                                            secrets, pre_run_semaphores)
             job.pre_run = job.pre_run + (pre_run,)
         # NOTE(pabelanger): Reverse the order of our post-run list. We prepend
         # post-runs for inherits however, we want to execute post-runs in the
         # order they are listed within the job.
-        for post_run_name in reversed(as_list(conf.get('post-run'))):
+        for post_run_name, post_run_semaphores in get_playbook_attrs(
+                reversed(as_list(conf.get('post-run')))):
             post_run = model.PlaybookContext(job.source_context,
                                              post_run_name, job.roles,
-                                             secrets)
+                                             secrets, post_run_semaphores)
             job.post_run = (post_run,) + job.post_run
-        for cleanup_run_name in reversed(as_list(conf.get('cleanup-run'))):
-            cleanup_run = model.PlaybookContext(job.source_context,
-                                                cleanup_run_name, job.roles,
-                                                secrets)
+        for cleanup_run_name, cleanup_run_semaphores in get_playbook_attrs(
+                reversed(as_list(conf.get('cleanup-run')))):
+            cleanup_run = model.PlaybookContext(
+                job.source_context,
+                cleanup_run_name, job.roles,
+                secrets, cleanup_run_semaphores)
             job.cleanup_run = (cleanup_run,) + job.cleanup_run
 
         if 'run' in conf:
-            for run_name in as_list(conf.get('run')):
+            for run_name, run_semaphores in get_playbook_attrs(
+                    as_list(conf.get('run'))):
                 run = model.PlaybookContext(job.source_context, run_name,
-                                            job.roles, secrets)
+                                            job.roles, secrets, run_semaphores)
                 job.run = job.run + (run,)
 
         if conf.get('intermediate', False) and not conf.get('abstract', False):
@@ -926,6 +959,7 @@ class JobParser(object):
                 job_semaphores.append(model.JobSemaphore(
                     semaphore.get('name'),
                     semaphore.get('resources-first', False)))
+
         if job_semaphores:
             # Sort the list of semaphores to avoid issues with
             # contention (where two jobs try to start at the same time
@@ -933,6 +967,12 @@ class JobParser(object):
             # reverse order.
             job.semaphores = tuple(sorted(job_semaphores,
                                           key=lambda x: x.name))
+            common = (set([x.name for x in job_semaphores]) &
+                      seen_playbook_semaphores)
+            if common:
+                raise Exception(f"Semaphores {common} specified as both "
+                                "job and playbook semaphores but may only "
+                                "be used for one")
 
         for k in ('tags', 'requires', 'provides'):
             v = frozenset(as_list(conf.get(k)))
diff --git a/zuul/executor/client.py b/zuul/executor/client.py
index 00d47ba380..9aa38cbcab 100644
--- a/zuul/executor/client.py
+++ b/zuul/executor/client.py
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ class ExecutorClient(object):
         # TODO: deprecate and remove this variable?
         params["zuul"]["_inheritance_path"] = list(job.inheritance_path)
 
+        semaphore_handler = item.pipeline.tenant.semaphore_handler
+        params['semaphore_handle'] = semaphore_handler.getSemaphoreHandle(
+            item, job)
+
         parent_span = tracing.restoreSpan(item.current_build_set.span_info)
         execute_time = time.time()
         with trace.use_span(parent_span):
diff --git a/zuul/executor/server.py b/zuul/executor/server.py
index 9c7ed158c9..c2aa4fbb58 100644
--- a/zuul/executor/server.py
+++ b/zuul/executor/server.py
@@ -82,6 +82,8 @@ from zuul.zk.executor import ExecutorApi
 from zuul.zk.job_request_queue import JobRequestEvent
 from zuul.zk.system import ZuulSystem
 from zuul.zk.zkobject import ZKContext
+from zuul.zk.semaphore import SemaphoreHandler
+
 
 BUFFER_LINES_FOR_SYNTAX = 200
 DEFAULT_FINGER_PORT = 7900
@@ -497,6 +499,7 @@ class JobDirPlaybook(object):
         self.secrets = os.path.join(self.secrets_root, 'all.yaml')
         self.secrets_content = None
         self.secrets_keys = set()
+        self.semaphores = []
 
     def addRole(self):
         count = len(self.roles)
@@ -963,6 +966,8 @@ class AnsibleJob(object):
         RESULT_DISK_FULL: 'RESULT_DISK_FULL',
     }
 
+    semaphore_sleep_time = 30
+
     def __init__(self, executor_server, build_request, arguments):
         logger = logging.getLogger("zuul.AnsibleJob")
         self.arguments = arguments
@@ -1042,6 +1047,7 @@ class AnsibleJob(object):
         self.frozen_hostvars = {}
         # The zuul.* vars
         self.zuul_vars = {}
+        self.waiting_for_semaphores = False
 
     def run(self):
         self.running = True
@@ -2034,6 +2040,7 @@ class AnsibleJob(object):
         jobdir_playbook.project_canonical_name = project.canonical_name
         jobdir_playbook.canonical_name_and_path = os.path.join(
             project.canonical_name, playbook['path'])
+        jobdir_playbook.semaphores = playbook['semaphores']
         path = None
 
         if not jobdir_playbook.trusted:
@@ -3086,10 +3093,45 @@ class AnsibleJob(object):
 
         self.emitPlaybookBanner(playbook, 'START', phase)
 
-        result, code = self.runAnsible(cmd, timeout, playbook, ansible_version,
-                                       cleanup=phase == 'cleanup')
+        semaphore_handle = self.arguments['semaphore_handle']
+        semaphore_wait_start = time.time()
+        acquired_semaphores = True
+        while not self.executor_server.semaphore_handler.acquireFromInfo(
+                self.log, playbook.semaphores, semaphore_handle):
+            self.log.debug("Unable to acquire playbook semaphores, waiting")
+            if not self.waiting_for_semaphores:
+                self.waiting_for_semaphores = True
+            remain = self.getAnsibleTimeout(semaphore_wait_start, timeout)
+            if remain is not None and remain <= 0:
+                self.log.info("Timed out waiting for semaphore")
+                acquired_semaphores = False
+                result = self.RESULT_TIMED_OUT
+                code = 0
+                break
+            if self.aborted:
+                acquired_semaphores = False
+                result = self.RESULT_ABORTED
+                code = 0
+                break
+            time.sleep(self.semaphore_sleep_time)
+        if self.waiting_for_semaphores:
+            self.waiting_for_semaphores = False
+            timeout = self.getAnsibleTimeout(semaphore_wait_start, timeout)
+
+        if acquired_semaphores:
+            result, code = self.runAnsible(
+                cmd, timeout, playbook, ansible_version,
+                cleanup=phase == 'cleanup')
         self.log.debug("Ansible complete, result %s code %s" % (
             self.RESULT_MAP[result], code))
+
+        if acquired_semaphores:
+            event_queue = self.executor_server.result_events[
+                self.build_request.tenant_name][
+                    self.build_request.pipeline_name]
+            self.executor_server.semaphore_handler.releaseFromInfo(
+                self.log, event_queue, playbook.semaphores, semaphore_handle)
+
         if self.executor_server.statsd:
             base_key = "zuul.executor.{hostname}.phase.{phase}"
             self.executor_server.statsd.incr(
@@ -3308,6 +3350,9 @@ class ExecutorServer(BaseMergeServer):
         # Used to offload expensive operations to different processes
         self.process_worker = None
 
+        self.semaphore_handler = SemaphoreHandler(
+            self.zk_client, self.statsd, None, None, None)
+
     def _get_key_store_password(self):
         try:
             return self.config["keystore"]["password"]
diff --git a/zuul/manager/__init__.py b/zuul/manager/__init__.py
index 480a3f9ca5..c7a89f7c75 100644
--- a/zuul/manager/__init__.py
+++ b/zuul/manager/__init__.py
@@ -959,7 +959,10 @@ class PipelineManager(metaclass=ABCMeta):
                     # current item so a potentially aquired semaphore must be
                     # released as it won't be released on dequeue of the item.
                     tenant = item.pipeline.tenant
-                    tenant.semaphore_handler.release(self.sched, item, job)
+                    pipeline = build_set.item.pipeline
+                    event_queue = self.sched.pipeline_result_events[
+                        tenant.name][pipeline.name]
+                    tenant.semaphore_handler.release(event_queue, item, job)
                 except Exception:
                     log.exception("Exception while releasing semaphore")
 
@@ -1796,8 +1799,11 @@ class PipelineManager(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         item = build.build_set.item
 
         log.debug("Build %s of %s completed" % (build, item.change))
+
+        event_queue = self.sched.pipeline_result_events[
+            item.pipeline.tenant.name][item.pipeline.name]
         item.pipeline.tenant.semaphore_handler.release(
-            self.sched, item, build.job)
+            event_queue, item, build.job)
 
         if item.getJob(build.job.name) is None:
             log.info("Build %s no longer in job graph for item %s",
@@ -1970,9 +1976,12 @@ class PipelineManager(metaclass=ABCMeta):
             build_set.item.setNodeRequestFailure(
                 job, f'Node request {request.id} failed')
             self._resumeBuilds(build_set)
-            tenant = build_set.item.pipeline.tenant
+            pipeline = build_set.item.pipeline
+            tenant = pipeline.tenant
+            event_queue = self.sched.pipeline_result_events[
+                tenant.name][pipeline.name]
             tenant.semaphore_handler.release(
-                self.sched, build_set.item, job)
+                event_queue, build_set.item, job)
 
         log.info("Completed node request %s for job %s of item %s "
                  "with nodes %s",
diff --git a/zuul/model.py b/zuul/model.py
index 9d219dcfee..bd1dca00e4 100644
--- a/zuul/model.py
+++ b/zuul/model.py
@@ -1890,7 +1890,8 @@ class PlaybookContext(ConfigObject):
 
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, source_context, path, roles, secrets):
+    def __init__(self, source_context, path, roles, secrets,
+                 semaphores):
         super(PlaybookContext, self).__init__()
         self.source_context = source_context
         self.path = path
@@ -1901,6 +1902,10 @@ class PlaybookContext(ConfigObject):
         # FrozenSecret objects which contain only the info the
         # executor needs
         self.frozen_secrets = ()
+        # The original JobSemaphore objects
+        self.semaphores = semaphores
+        # the result of getSemaphoreInfo from semaphore handler
+        self.frozen_semaphores = ()
 
     def __repr__(self):
         return '<PlaybookContext %s %s>' % (self.source_context,
@@ -1915,13 +1920,15 @@ class PlaybookContext(ConfigObject):
         return (self.source_context == other.source_context and
                 self.path == other.path and
                 self.roles == other.roles and
-                self.secrets == other.secrets)
+                self.secrets == other.secrets and
+                self.semaphores == other.semaphores)
 
     def copy(self):
         r = PlaybookContext(self.source_context,
                             self.path,
                             self.roles,
-                            self.secrets)
+                            self.secrets,
+                            self.semaphores)
         return r
 
     def validateReferences(self, layout):
@@ -1944,6 +1951,15 @@ class PlaybookContext(ConfigObject):
                 self.source_context.project_canonical_name)[1]
             # Decrypt a copy of the secret to verify it can be done
             secret.decrypt(project.private_secrets_key)
+        # TODO: if we remove the implicit max=1 semaphore, validate
+        # references here.
+
+    def freezeSemaphores(self, layout, semaphore_handler):
+        semaphores = []
+        for job_semaphore in self.semaphores:
+            info = semaphore_handler.getSemaphoreInfo(job_semaphore)
+            semaphores.append(info)
+        self.frozen_semaphores = tuple(semaphores)
 
     def freezeSecrets(self, layout):
         secrets = []
@@ -1981,6 +1997,7 @@ class PlaybookContext(ConfigObject):
             trusted=self.source_context.trusted,
             roles=[r.toDict() for r in self.roles],
             secrets=secrets,
+            semaphores=self.frozen_semaphores,
             path=self.path)
 
     def toSchemaDict(self):
@@ -1990,6 +2007,7 @@ class PlaybookContext(ConfigObject):
             'roles': list(map(lambda x: x.toDict(), self.roles)),
             'secrets': [{'name': secret.name, 'alias': secret.alias}
                         for secret in self.secrets],
+            'semaphores': [{'name': sem.name} for sem in self.semaphores],
         }
         if self.source_context:
             d['source_context'] = self.source_context.toDict()
@@ -2847,16 +2865,20 @@ class Job(ConfigObject):
     def _get(self, name):
         return self.__dict__.get(name)
 
-    def setBase(self, layout):
+    def setBase(self, layout, semaphore_handler):
         self.inheritance_path = self.inheritance_path + (repr(self),)
         if self._get('run') is not None:
-            self.run = self.freezePlaybooks(self.run, layout)
+            self.run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                self.run, layout, semaphore_handler)
         if self._get('pre_run') is not None:
-            self.pre_run = self.freezePlaybooks(self.pre_run, layout)
+            self.pre_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                self.pre_run, layout, semaphore_handler)
         if self._get('post_run') is not None:
-            self.post_run = self.freezePlaybooks(self.post_run, layout)
+            self.post_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                self.post_run, layout, semaphore_handler)
         if self._get('cleanup_run') is not None:
-            self.cleanup_run = self.freezePlaybooks(self.cleanup_run, layout)
+            self.cleanup_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                self.cleanup_run, layout, semaphore_handler)
 
     def getNodeset(self, layout):
         if isinstance(self.nodeset, str):
@@ -2993,7 +3015,7 @@ class Job(ConfigObject):
                 setattr(job, k, v)
         return job
 
-    def freezePlaybooks(self, pblist, layout):
+    def freezePlaybooks(self, pblist, layout, semaphore_handler):
         """Take a list of playbooks, and return a copy of it updated with this
         job's roles.
 
@@ -3004,10 +3026,11 @@ class Job(ConfigObject):
             pb = old_pb.copy()
             pb.roles = self.roles
             pb.freezeSecrets(layout)
+            pb.freezeSemaphores(layout, semaphore_handler)
             ret.append(pb)
         return tuple(ret)
 
-    def applyVariant(self, other, layout):
+    def applyVariant(self, other, layout, semaphore_handler):
         """Copy the attributes which have been set on the other job to this
         job."""
         if not isinstance(other, Job):
@@ -3113,16 +3136,20 @@ class Job(ConfigObject):
                     self.post_review = True
 
         if other._get('run') is not None:
-            other_run = self.freezePlaybooks(other.run, layout)
+            other_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                other.run, layout, semaphore_handler)
             self.run = other_run
         if other._get('pre_run') is not None:
-            other_pre_run = self.freezePlaybooks(other.pre_run, layout)
+            other_pre_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                other.pre_run, layout, semaphore_handler)
             self.pre_run = self.pre_run + other_pre_run
         if other._get('post_run') is not None:
-            other_post_run = self.freezePlaybooks(other.post_run, layout)
+            other_post_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                other.post_run, layout, semaphore_handler)
             self.post_run = other_post_run + self.post_run
         if other._get('cleanup_run') is not None:
-            other_cleanup_run = self.freezePlaybooks(other.cleanup_run, layout)
+            other_cleanup_run = self.freezePlaybooks(
+                other.cleanup_run, layout, semaphore_handler)
             self.cleanup_run = other_cleanup_run + self.cleanup_run
         self.updateVariables(other.variables, other.extra_variables,
                              other.host_variables, other.group_variables)
@@ -3144,6 +3171,16 @@ class Job(ConfigObject):
                 sorted(other.semaphores + self.semaphores,
                        key=lambda x: x.name))
 
+        pb_semaphores = set()
+        for pb in self.run + self.pre_run + self.post_run + self.cleanup_run:
+            pb_semaphores.update([x['name'] for x in pb.frozen_semaphores])
+        common = (set([x.name for x in self.semaphores]) &
+                  pb_semaphores)
+        if common:
+            raise Exception(f"Semaphores {common} specified as both "
+                            "job and playbook semaphores but may only "
+                            "be used for one")
+
         for k in self.context_attributes:
             if (other._get(k) is not None and
                 k not in set(['tags', 'requires', 'provides'])):
@@ -6380,6 +6417,33 @@ class ResultEvent(AbstractEvent):
         pass
 
 
+class SemaphoreReleaseEvent(ResultEvent):
+    """Enqueued after a semaphore has been released in order
+    to trigger a processing run.
+
+    This is emitted when a playbook semaphore is released to instruct
+    the scheduler to emit fan-out PipelineSemaphoreReleaseEvents for
+    every potentially affected tenant-pipeline.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, semaphore_name):
+        self.semaphore_name = semaphore_name
+
+    def toDict(self):
+        return {
+            "semaphore_name": self.semaphore_name,
+        }
+
+    @classmethod
+    def fromDict(cls, data):
+        return cls(data.get("semaphore_name"))
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return (
+            f"<{self.__class__.__name__} semaphore_name={self.semaphore_name}>"
+        )
+
+
 class BuildResultEvent(ResultEvent):
     """Base class for all build result events.
 
@@ -7400,7 +7464,7 @@ class Layout(object):
         noop.description = 'A job that will always succeed, no operation.'
         noop.parent = noop.BASE_JOB_MARKER
         noop.deduplicate = False
-        noop.run = (PlaybookContext(None, 'noop.yaml', [], []),)
+        noop.run = (PlaybookContext(None, 'noop.yaml', [], [], []),)
         self.jobs = {'noop': [noop]}
         self.nodesets = {}
         self.secrets = {}
@@ -7771,6 +7835,7 @@ class Layout(object):
                         skip_file_matcher, redact_secrets_and_keys,
                         debug_messages):
         log = item.annotateLogger(self.log)
+        semaphore_handler = item.pipeline.tenant.semaphore_handler
         job_list = ppc.job_list
         change = item.change
         pipeline = item.pipeline
@@ -7808,9 +7873,9 @@ class Layout(object):
             for variant in variants:
                 if frozen_job is None:
                     frozen_job = variant.copy()
-                    frozen_job.setBase(self)
+                    frozen_job.setBase(self, semaphore_handler)
                 else:
-                    frozen_job.applyVariant(variant, self)
+                    frozen_job.applyVariant(variant, self, semaphore_handler)
                     frozen_job.name = variant.name
             frozen_job.name = jobname
 
@@ -7830,7 +7895,7 @@ class Layout(object):
             matched = False
             for variant in job_list.jobs[jobname]:
                 if variant.changeMatchesBranch(change):
-                    frozen_job.applyVariant(variant, self)
+                    frozen_job.applyVariant(variant, self, semaphore_handler)
                     matched = True
                     log.debug("Pipeline variant %s matched %s",
                               repr(variant), change)
diff --git a/zuul/scheduler.py b/zuul/scheduler.py
index dc136586f7..7d248aab85 100644
--- a/zuul/scheduler.py
+++ b/zuul/scheduler.py
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ from zuul.model import (
     Change,
     ChangeManagementEvent,
     PipelinePostConfigEvent,
+    SemaphoreReleaseEvent,
     PipelineSemaphoreReleaseEvent,
     DequeueEvent,
     EnqueueEvent,
@@ -1924,6 +1925,27 @@ class Scheduler(threading.Thread):
                     pipeline.manager.removeItem(item)
                     return
 
+    def _doSemaphoreReleaseEvent(self, event, pipeline):
+        tenant = pipeline.tenant
+        semaphore = tenant.layout.getSemaphore(
+            self.abide, event.semaphore_name)
+        if semaphore.global_scope:
+            tenants = [t for t in self.abide.tenants.values()
+                       if event.semaphore_name in t.global_semaphores]
+        else:
+            tenants = [tenant]
+        for tenant in tenants:
+            for pipeline_name in tenant.layout.pipelines.keys():
+                if (tenant.name == pipeline.tenant.name and
+                    pipeline_name == pipeline.name):
+                    # This pipeline is already awake because it is
+                    # where this event originated.
+                    continue
+                event = PipelineSemaphoreReleaseEvent()
+                self.pipeline_management_events[
+                    tenant.name][pipeline_name].put(
+                        event, needs_result=False)
+
     def _areAllBuildsComplete(self):
         self.log.debug("Checking if all builds are complete")
         waiting = False
@@ -2546,6 +2568,8 @@ class Scheduler(threading.Thread):
             self._doFilesChangesCompletedEvent(event, pipeline)
         elif isinstance(event, NodesProvisionedEvent):
             self._doNodesProvisionedEvent(event, pipeline)
+        elif isinstance(event, SemaphoreReleaseEvent):
+            self._doSemaphoreReleaseEvent(event, pipeline)
         else:
             self.log.error("Unable to handle event %s", event)
 
@@ -2920,8 +2944,11 @@ class Scheduler(threading.Thread):
                     buildset.addBuild(fakebuild)
         finally:
             # Release the semaphore in any case
-            tenant = buildset.item.pipeline.tenant
-            tenant.semaphore_handler.release(self, item, job)
+            pipeline = buildset.item.pipeline
+            tenant = pipeline.tenant
+            event_queue = self.pipeline_result_events[
+                tenant.name][pipeline.name]
+            tenant.semaphore_handler.release(event_queue, item, job)
 
     def createZKContext(self, lock, log):
         return ZKContext(self.zk_client, lock, self.stop_event, log)
diff --git a/zuul/zk/event_queues.py b/zuul/zk/event_queues.py
index ad75297910..ebb33ec88d 100644
--- a/zuul/zk/event_queues.py
+++ b/zuul/zk/event_queues.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ RESULT_EVENT_TYPE_MAP = {
     "FilesChangesCompletedEvent": model.FilesChangesCompletedEvent,
     "MergeCompletedEvent": model.MergeCompletedEvent,
     "NodesProvisionedEvent": model.NodesProvisionedEvent,
+    "SemaphoreReleaseEvent": model.SemaphoreReleaseEvent,
 }
 
 MANAGEMENT_EVENT_TYPE_MAP = {
diff --git a/zuul/zk/semaphore.py b/zuul/zk/semaphore.py
index 61ff835389..386fcb2df5 100644
--- a/zuul/zk/semaphore.py
+++ b/zuul/zk/semaphore.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from urllib.parse import quote_plus, unquote
 from kazoo.exceptions import BadVersionError, NoNodeError
 
 from zuul.lib.logutil import get_annotated_logger
-from zuul.model import PipelineSemaphoreReleaseEvent
+from zuul.model import SemaphoreReleaseEvent
 from zuul.zk import ZooKeeperSimpleBase
 
 
@@ -73,29 +73,60 @@ class SemaphoreHandler(ZooKeeperSimpleBase):
         except Exception:
             self.log.exception("Unable to send semaphore stats:")
 
+    def getSemaphoreInfo(self, job_semaphore):
+        semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(self.abide, job_semaphore.name)
+        return {
+            'name': job_semaphore.name,
+            'path': self._makePath(semaphore),
+            'resources_first': job_semaphore.resources_first,
+            'max': 1 if semaphore is None else semaphore.max,
+        }
+
+    def getSemaphoreHandle(self, item, job):
+        return {
+            "buildset_path": item.current_build_set.getPath(),
+            "job_name": job.name,
+        }
+
     def acquire(self, item, job, request_resources):
+        # This is the typical method for acquiring semaphores.  It
+        # runs on the scheduler and acquires all semaphores for a job.
         if self.read_only:
             raise RuntimeError("Read-only semaphore handler")
         if not job.semaphores:
             return True
 
         log = get_annotated_logger(self.log, item.event)
+        handle = self.getSemaphoreHandle(item, job)
+        infos = [self.getSemaphoreInfo(job_semaphore)
+                 for job_semaphore in job.semaphores]
+
+        return self.acquireFromInfo(log, infos, handle, request_resources)
+
+    def acquireFromInfo(self, log, infos, handle, request_resources=False):
+        # This method is used by the executor to acquire a playbook
+        # semaphore; it is similar to the acquire method but the
+        # semaphore info is frozen (this operates without an abide).
+        if self.read_only:
+            raise RuntimeError("Read-only semaphore handler")
+        if not infos:
+            return True
+
         all_acquired = True
-        for semaphore in job.semaphores:
-            if not self._acquire_one(log, item, job, request_resources,
-                                     semaphore):
+        for info in infos:
+            if not self._acquire_one(log, info, handle, request_resources):
                 all_acquired = False
                 break
         if not all_acquired:
             # Since we know we have less than all the required
             # semaphores, set quiet=True so we don't log an inability
             # to release them.
-            self.release(None, item, job, quiet=True)
+            self.releaseFromInfo(log, None, infos, handle, quiet=True)
             return False
         return True
 
-    def _acquire_one(self, log, item, job, request_resources, job_semaphore):
-        if job_semaphore.resources_first and request_resources:
+    def _acquire_one(self, log, info, handle, request_resources):
+        if info['resources_first'] and request_resources:
             # We're currently in the resource request phase and want to get the
             # resources before locking. So we don't need to do anything here.
             return True
@@ -106,42 +137,86 @@ class SemaphoreHandler(ZooKeeperSimpleBase):
             # the resources phase.
             pass
 
-        semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(self.abide, job_semaphore.name)
-        semaphore_path = self._makePath(semaphore)
-        semaphore_handle = {
-            "buildset_path": item.current_build_set.getPath(),
-            "job_name": job.name,
-        }
+        self.kazoo_client.ensure_path(info['path'])
+        semaphore_holders, zstat = self.getHolders(info['path'])
 
-        self.kazoo_client.ensure_path(semaphore_path)
-        semaphore_holders, zstat = self.getHolders(semaphore_path)
-
-        if semaphore_handle in semaphore_holders:
+        if handle in semaphore_holders:
             return True
 
         # semaphore is there, check max
-        while len(semaphore_holders) < self._max_count(semaphore.name):
-            semaphore_holders.append(semaphore_handle)
+        while len(semaphore_holders) < info['max']:
+            semaphore_holders.append(handle)
 
             try:
-                self.kazoo_client.set(semaphore_path,
+                self.kazoo_client.set(info['path'],
                                       holdersToData(semaphore_holders),
                                       version=zstat.version)
             except BadVersionError:
                 log.debug(
                     "Retrying semaphore %s acquire due to concurrent update",
-                    semaphore.name)
-                semaphore_holders, zstat = self.getHolders(semaphore_path)
+                    info['name'])
+                semaphore_holders, zstat = self.getHolders(info['path'])
                 continue
 
-            log.info("Semaphore %s acquired: job %s, item %s",
-                     semaphore.name, job.name, item)
-
-            self._emitStats(semaphore_path, len(semaphore_holders))
+            log.info("Semaphore %s acquired: handle %s",
+                     info['name'], handle)
+            self._emitStats(info['path'], len(semaphore_holders))
             return True
 
         return False
 
+    def release(self, event_queue, item, job, quiet=False):
+        if self.read_only:
+            raise RuntimeError("Read-only semaphore handler")
+        if not job.semaphores:
+            return
+
+        log = get_annotated_logger(self.log, item.event)
+
+        handle = self.getSemaphoreHandle(item, job)
+        infos = [self.getSemaphoreInfo(job_semaphore)
+                 for job_semaphore in job.semaphores]
+
+        return self.releaseFromInfo(log, event_queue, infos, handle,
+                                    quiet=False)
+
+    def releaseFromInfo(self, log, event_queue, infos, handle, quiet=False):
+        for info in infos:
+            self._release_one(log, info, handle, quiet)
+            if event_queue:
+                # If a scheduler has been provided (which it is except
+                # in the case of a rollback from acquire in this
+                # class), broadcast an event to trigger pipeline runs.
+                event = SemaphoreReleaseEvent(info['name'])
+                event_queue.put(event)
+
+    def _release_one(self, log, info, handle, quiet=False):
+        while True:
+            try:
+                semaphore_holders, zstat = self.getHolders(info['path'])
+                semaphore_holders.remove(handle)
+            except (ValueError, NoNodeError):
+                if not quiet:
+                    log.error("Semaphore %s can not be released for %s "
+                              "because the semaphore is not held",
+                              info['path'], handle)
+                break
+
+            try:
+                self.kazoo_client.set(info['path'],
+                                      holdersToData(semaphore_holders),
+                                      zstat.version)
+            except BadVersionError:
+                log.debug(
+                    "Retrying semaphore %s release due to concurrent update",
+                    info['path'])
+                continue
+
+            log.info("Semaphore %s released for %s",
+                     info['path'], handle)
+            self._emitStats(info['path'], len(semaphore_holders))
+            break
+
     def getHolders(self, semaphore_path):
         data, zstat = self.kazoo_client.get(semaphore_path)
         return holdersFromData(data), zstat
@@ -155,72 +230,6 @@ class SemaphoreHandler(ZooKeeperSimpleBase):
                 pass
         return ret
 
-    def _release(self, log, semaphore_path, semaphore_handle, quiet):
-        while True:
-            try:
-                semaphore_holders, zstat = self.getHolders(semaphore_path)
-                semaphore_holders.remove(semaphore_handle)
-            except (ValueError, NoNodeError):
-                if not quiet:
-                    log.error("Semaphore %s can not be released for %s "
-                              "because the semaphore is not held",
-                              semaphore_path, semaphore_handle)
-                break
-
-            try:
-                self.kazoo_client.set(semaphore_path,
-                                      holdersToData(semaphore_holders),
-                                      zstat.version)
-            except BadVersionError:
-                log.debug(
-                    "Retrying semaphore %s release due to concurrent update",
-                    semaphore_path)
-                continue
-
-            log.info("Semaphore %s released for %s",
-                     semaphore_path, semaphore_handle)
-            self._emitStats(semaphore_path, len(semaphore_holders))
-            break
-
-    def release(self, sched, item, job, quiet=False):
-        if self.read_only:
-            raise RuntimeError("Read-only semaphore handler")
-        if not job.semaphores:
-            return
-
-        log = get_annotated_logger(self.log, item.event)
-
-        for job_semaphore in job.semaphores:
-            self._release_one(log, item, job, job_semaphore, quiet)
-
-        # If a scheduler has been provided (which it is except in the
-        # case of a rollback from acquire in this class), broadcast an
-        # event to trigger pipeline runs.
-        if sched is None:
-            return
-
-        semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(self.abide, job_semaphore.name)
-        if semaphore.global_scope:
-            tenants = [t for t in self.abide.tenants.values()
-                       if job_semaphore.name in t.global_semaphores]
-        else:
-            tenants = [self.abide.tenants[self.tenant_name]]
-        for tenant in tenants:
-            for pipeline_name in tenant.layout.pipelines.keys():
-                event = PipelineSemaphoreReleaseEvent()
-                sched.pipeline_management_events[
-                    tenant.name][pipeline_name].put(
-                        event, needs_result=False)
-
-    def _release_one(self, log, item, job, job_semaphore, quiet):
-        semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(self.abide, job_semaphore.name)
-        semaphore_path = self._makePath(semaphore)
-        semaphore_handle = {
-            "buildset_path": item.current_build_set.getPath(),
-            "job_name": job.name,
-        }
-        self._release(log, semaphore_path, semaphore_handle, quiet)
-
     def semaphoreHolders(self, semaphore_name):
         semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(self.abide, semaphore_name)
         semaphore_path = self._makePath(semaphore)
@@ -230,10 +239,6 @@ class SemaphoreHandler(ZooKeeperSimpleBase):
             holders = []
         return holders
 
-    def _max_count(self, semaphore_name):
-        semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(self.abide, semaphore_name)
-        return 1 if semaphore is None else semaphore.max
-
     def cleanupLeaks(self):
         if self.read_only:
             raise RuntimeError("Read-only semaphore handler")
@@ -246,7 +251,10 @@ class SemaphoreHandler(ZooKeeperSimpleBase):
 
                 semaphore = self.layout.getSemaphore(
                     self.abide, semaphore_name)
-                semaphore_path = self._makePath(semaphore)
+                info = {
+                    'name': semaphore.name,
+                    'path': self._makePath(semaphore),
+                }
                 self.log.error("Releasing leaked semaphore %s held by %s",
-                               semaphore_path, holder)
-                self._release(self.log, semaphore_path, holder, quiet=False)
+                               info['path'], holder)
+                self._release_one(self.log, info, holder, quiet=False)