Park Event Permit
 The City of Sacramento, Department of Parks and Recreation offers dozens of park sites for a variety of uses that include: Community Festivals, Arts & Cultural Events, Concerts, Races and Walks, Promotional functions, Outreach and other large-scale public uses. The City of Sacramento requires that all events intended for public participation in our parks be properly permitted.
A Park Event Permit is issued for any activity with 200 or more in attendance. A Park Event Permit is required for any activity that calls for special permits. Special permits are required for the following: Alcohol Consumption/Sales, Commercial Activity, Fundraising, Amplified Sound, and Filming. Applications for Park Use that will require a Park Event Permit must be submitted 45 days prior to the proposed activity.
Detailed Amenities Guides (both web graphics and PDF files) are available for our most popular parks. The online guides include group picnic areas, availability of restrooms, barbeques, and number of persons each site can accommodate.
Where do I start?
The
Park Event Permit Process and Application Information
Obtain an Application for Park Use
There are three (3) ways to obtain an Application for Park Use to start the permit process:
 PDF forms require Adobe
Acrobat Reader, available free at adobe.com.
What happens after I submit my Application for Park Use?
If seeking a Park Event Permit, a Special Event Services staff will contact you within seven (7) business days of receipt of your Application for Park Use and serve as your primary point of contact for the processing of your permit. This person will review your application and set the requirements and fees. If your event is deemed a Special Event, you will be required to complete a Special Event Application in addition to the Application for Park Use. In addition, your application may need to be reviewed by the Special Event Review Board.
When will I receive my permit?
You will receive your permit after all requirements have been met.
What is the Special Event Review Board?
The City of Sacramento’s Special Event Review Board is comprised of City Departments that may need to be involved in the planning of your event. The Special Event Review Board is designed to be a one-stop-shop to meet with other City Departments. If a review is required, your designated Special Event Services staff will contact you to schedule your review date, time and location.
Application Filing Timeline
For a Park Event Permit an Application for Park Use may be submitted a maximum of two (2) years in advance and must be made a minimum of 45 days in advance.
Detailed information on Park Event Permit restrictions and responsibilities
Advertising
 Acceptance of an Application for Park Use is neither a guarantee of the date or location nor an automatic approval of your event. You must receive approval before you promote, market or advertise your event. A Special Event Services staff assigned to review your application will contact you and conditional approval will be granted only after your assigned staff has screened the application. The event organizer must complete the application requirements entirely before the City will issue a Park Event Permit.
Alcohol
Alcohol sales and consumption in City parks is limited to community and regional parks and is by permit only.
If you are planning to sell or serve beer or wine at your event, you must obtain a One-Day Alcohol Beverage Permit from the Sacramento Police Department and a Special Daily License from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which authorizes the temporary sale or serving of beer or wine for consumption on the premises indicated on the license.
To begin the process, contact the Sacramento Police Department (numbers below) for a One-Day Alcohol Beverage Permit Request. The Sacramento Police Department will review your event plans and alcohol management strategy once you have submitted your One-Day Alcohol Beverage Permit Request.
- If your event will be held south of Highway 50, call (916) 808-6001.
- If your event will be held north of Highway 50, call (916) 566-6401.
Once you obtain your One-Day Alcohol Beverage Permit from the Sacramento Police Department, contact ABC, (916) 227-2002, to obtain a Special Daily License.
Your designated Special Event Services staff assigned to review your event will provide you with the City’s Alcohol Policy for Public Places which outlines the regulations for alcohol consumption/sales in City parks.
 Amplified Sound
City Code 12.72.010 defines amplified sound as “speech, music or other sound projected or transmitted by electronic equipment including amplifiers, loud speakers, microphones, or similar devices or combinations of devices which are powered by electricity, battery or combustible fuel and which are intended to increase the volume, range, distance or intensity of speech, music or other sound.”
In accordance with City Code 12.72.060, when in a City park “no person shall use any amplified sound without first obtaining an amplified sound permit.” City Code 12.72.110, outlines the regulations for use of amplified sound by any person(s) in a City park as follows:
- No person shall use amplified sound except between sunrise and sunset, except at lighted facilities;
- No person shall use amplified sound exceeding a noise level of eighty-six (86) dBA at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet from a noise source or sources.
Fencing
Fenced area refers to any event, or area within the event, that is closed off by temporary fencing. A fenced event or area must include the following:
- Occupancy Load: The Fire Department will set occupancy load if expected attendance is over 50.
- Number of exits: The number of exits shall be in addition to the main entrance.
- Exit spacing: Exits shall be equally spaced along the perimeter of the fence. The exits shall be spaced so that no exit is greater than a distance of 400 feet of travel from the next exit.
- Exit width: Exit width shall be understood to be no less than 48 inches.
- Exit staffing: Each exit shall have a person assigned to it.
- Exit sign/marking: Each emergency exit shall have a white background with contrasting red letters, 12 inches in height. Exit signs shall measure 18 x 24 inches.
For more information on fence requirements please contact Fire Prevention at (916) 808-1633.
Food Booths (Also See Tents)
A County of Sacramento Environmental Health Permit is required to sell or serve food to the public in the City of Sacramento. In addition, a City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax Certificate is required to conduct sales. If you will be cooking or heating food at your event, a Hot Food Vendor Permit is required from the Sacramento Fire Department.
- For information on County requirements please contact the Department of Environmental Health at (916) 875-8440.
- To obtain a City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax Certificate please contact the City of Sacramento Revenue Department at (916) 808-8500.
- For information on Hot Food Vendor Permits please contact Fire Prevention at (916) 808-1633.
Fundraising
Per City Code 12.72.060, commercial activity in any park is prohibited, except by a nonprofit organization pursuant to a fundraising permit. If your non-profit is interested in fundraising, a copy of your 501(c)(3) status will be required to complete the permit process.
 Insurance
A certificate of insurance must be filed with Special Event Services 10 working days before the event. The City of Sacramento requires all certificates of insurance to be submitted on a standard ACORD form or on the insurance company’s letterhead. The City of Sacramento must be listed as the certificate holder as well as an additional insured with respects to General Liability. An endorsement naming the “The City of Sacramento, its officials, agents, employees and volunteers” as additionally insured must accompany the certificate of insurance. The endorsement page is often referred to as page CG 2011. If alcohol will be served, a liquor liability endorsement is required.
If you do not have insurance, the City of Sacramento’s insurance broker can place coverage for most park events at reasonable rates. For more information, please contact Risk Management at (916) 808-5556.
Parking
When planning an event it is important to consider the impact your event will have on parking in the area. In some situations when sufficient parking is not available, the event organizer may be required to provide a shuttle plan.
If you wish to reserve metered parking for your event, please contact On-Street Parking at (916) 808-2690.
If you wish to reserve un-metered parking areas for your event, please contact Event Support Services at (916) 808-6325. No Parking/Tow-away areas must be posted 72-hours in advance.
Restroom Facilities
Per City Code 12.72.180 in City parks which do not have toilet facilities, the City of Sacramento requires one (1) chemical toilet for any activity where the estimated attendance exceeds fifty (50) persons. Such facilities shall be provided at the ratio of one (1) for each additional four hundred (400) people, or portion thereof. The number of toilets is based upon the maximum number at your activity during peak time.
Security
In some cases, the hiring of officers from the Sacramento Police Department, a professional security company (that is on the City of Sacramento, Registered Security Patrol List), or a combination of both may be required by the Department of Parks and Recreation in order to obtain a Park Event Permit. The Sacramento Police Department determines the need, number, and type of security personnel based on expected attendance, location of the event, the presence of alcohol, history of the event, nature of the event, street closures, and the amount of advertising used for an event. Please contact the Police Department, Special Events Unit at (916) 808-0708 to determine costs and make necessary arrangements.
Tents
The following Fire Department regulations apply for temporary structures under 200 square feet in size:
- Booths, canopies, or small tents used for food booths cannot exceed 30 feet in continuous length without a 10-foot clearance between structures;
- No open flame devices may be used within a temporary structure.
Tents that are larger than 200 square feet and canopies that are larger than 400 square feet must be inspected and permitted by the Fire Department. For more information please contact Fire Prevention at (916) 808-1633.
Trash Disposal
You must properly dispose of waste and garbage throughout the term of your event and immediately upon conclusion of the event, the area must be returned to a clean condition. Should you fail to perform adequate cleanup or damage occurs to City property and facilities, you will be billed at full cost recovery rates plus overhead for cleanup and/or repair. In addition, such failure may result in denial of future Park Event Permits or the requirement of a cash deposit for future events.
Vehicular Access
Motorized vehicles on park property, lawns, turf, restricted roadway, bicycle/pedestrian pathway or athletic fields is prohibited. Roadways and parking areas are clearly marked and established. Driving beyond designated boundaries to load and unload equipment or transport goods is prohibited. Vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
Vendor Booths (Also See Tents)
Vendor booths are usually similar in construction to food booths, but are meant for retail sale of non-food items. A City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax Certificate is required to sell, expose for sale, or offer for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise in the City of Sacramento. To obtain a City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax Certificate please contact the City of Sacramento Revenue Department at (916) 808-8500.
Fee Schedule
Refundable Damage Deposit varies on size and scope of event.
Park Event Fees
- Small (200 - 500 guests)
Event fees without fundraising $140 per day /
Event fees with fundraising $240 per day
- Mid-Size (501- 3,000 guests)
Event fees without fundraising $245 per day /
Event fees with fundraising $590 per day
- Large (3,001+ guests)
Event fees without fundraising $585 per day /
Event fees with fundraising $1350 per day
Permit Fees
- Amplified Sound Permit - $25 per hour
- Amphitheater - $50 per hour (price does not include Amplified Sound Permit)
- Jump Tent Permit - $25 per unit
- Light Fee - $25 per hour
- Park Safety Services - $28 per hour (may be required with some permits)
Special Event Application Fee
(may be required for some Park Event Permits)
- Small (500 or fewer guests) $50
- Mid-size (501 - 3,000 guests) $150
- Large (3,001+ guests) $200
Learn more about the Parks and Recreation Permit system
- Park Permit and Certificate of Park Use
- Athletic Field Permit and Long Term Athletic Field Permit
- Indoor Facility Use Permit
- Special
Event Permit
- Neighborhood
Block Party Permit
Learn more about the Permits and Reservations system
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09/10/2008
