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 and/or is open to the public.  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?

• Obtain an Application for Park Use
• What happens after I submit my Application for Park Use?
• What is the Special Event Review Board?
• When will I receive my permit?
• Application Filing Timeline
• Fee Schedule
• Detailed information on Park Event Permit restrictions and responsibilities:
  • Advertising
  • Alcohol
  • Amplified Sound
  • Decorations
  • Fencing
  • Food Booths
  • Fundraising
  • Insurance
  • Jump Tents
  • Park Safety
  • Parking
  • Restroom Facilities
  • Security
  • Tents
  • Trash Disposal
  • Vehicular Access
  • Vendor Booths
    

Obtain an Application for Park Use

There are three (3) ways to obtain an Application for Park Use to start the permit process:

• Download 3-page Application for  Park Use (PDF) 129 KB
  (open in new window), print, complete and submit as instructed on page 1 of the application;
• Visit the Coloma Community Center, Monday through Thursday, 10am - 4pm to request an application;
• Contact Special Event Services, (916) 808-7888, or specialeventservices@cityofsacramento.org to request an application.

PDFs 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 ten (10) 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.

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.

When will I receive my permit?

You will receive your permit after all requirements have been met

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 alcohol 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 alcohol for consumption on the premises indicated on the license.

To begin the permit process, contact the Sacramento Police Department for a One-Day Alcohol Beverage Permit Request. The Sacramento Police Department Office you contact will depend on the location of your event:

• South Sacramento Area (916) 808-6001
• North Sacramento Area (916) 808-6401

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 Property which outlines the rules and regulations for alcohol consumption/sales in City parks.

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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.

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Decorations

Signs, banners and party decorations may be used at your event.  The use of glue, nails, tacks, screws, staples or other fasteners that may scratch or otherwise damage surfaces of picnic shelters are prohibited.  Tacks, screws, nails or other fasteners are not allowed on trees.  Paint and chalk marks are not allowed on sidewalks or other surfaces.

Fencing

Fenced area refers to any event, or area within the event, that is closed off by temporary fencing:

• The Fire Department will set occupancy load if expected attendance is over 50.
• The number of exits shall be in addition to the main entrance. Two (2) exits shall be provided when the site accommodates fewer than 1,000 persons. Three (3) exits shall be provided when the site accommodates from 1,000 to 3,000 persons. Four (4) exits shall be provided when the site accommodates more than 3,000 persons.
• 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 shall be understood to be no less than 48 inches.
• Each exit shall have a person assigned to it.
• Each emergency exit shall have a white background with contrasting red letters, 12 inches in height. Exit signs shall measure 18 x 24 inches. Sign lettering shall measure 12 inches in height. Signs shall be placed at the top center of the exit panel.

For more information on fencing requirements please contact Fire Prevention at (916) 808-8623.

Food Booths (Also See Tents)

A County of Sacramento Environmental Health Permit is required to sell or serve food to the general public in the City of Sacramento. In addition, a City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax Certificate is required to conduct sales. 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.

If you will be cooking or heating food at your event, an inspection from the Sacramento Fire Department may be required. For information on Hot Food Vendor Requirements please contact Fire Prevention at (916) 808-8623.

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 ten (10) business days before the event. Insurance must 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 2010.  If alcohol will be served, a liquor liability endorsement is also required.

If you do not have insurance, the City of Sacramento’s insurance broker can place coverage for most park events at a reasonable rate.  For more information, please contact Risk Management at (916) 808-5556.  

Jump Tents

A permit is required to have a jump tent in the park. Jump tents are restricted to a four-walled jump house without any attachments. Slides, obstacle courses, sumo wrestlers, water features and bungee jumps are not allowed in the park. Be sure your jump tent provider has a certificate of insurance on file with the Department of Parks and Recreation. The permittee is responsible for providing a generator for inflation of the amenity; the City of Sacramento does not provide electricity.

Park Safety

The mission of Park Safety Services is to provide park guests and park neighbors with a safe and trouble-free environment. A Park Safety Ranger will be in or near the park during your event. Park Safety Rangers have the authorization to stop or modify any activity if deemed necessary. If you have safety concerns, or on-site problems, please contact Park Safety Services through the City Operator by dialing 311. For emergencies call 911.

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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 on-street parking or inquire about discounted event parking in City owned garages or parking lots, contact City of Sacramento Parking Services at (916) 808-7475.

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 (listed on the City of Sacramento, Registered Security Patrol List), or a combination of both may be required 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;
• Food booths shall have a clearance of at least 20 feet on two (2) sides;
• 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) 808-8623.

Trash Disposal

You must properly dispose of waste and garbage throughout 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

City Resolution No. 95-299 prohibits motorized vehicles in City parks without a permit. Parking permits must be issued in advance of your event. Permits will be issued at the request of the applicant and only for those vehicles that need to be accessed during the event. Vehicles in the park without a permit will be ticketed and towed at the event coordinator’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

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 $1,350 per day

Permit Fees

• Alcohol Surcharge - $50
• Amphitheater - $50 per hour (price does not include Amplified Sound Permit)
• Amplified Sound Permit - $25 per hour
  
• Jump Tent Permit - $25 per unit
  
• Light Fee - $25 per hour
• Non-refundable Park Permit Application Fee $5
• Park Safety Services - $28 per hour (may be required with some permits)
• Refundable Damage Deposit (varies on size, scope and history of event)

Special Event Application Fee

• Small (500 or fewer guests) $75
  
• Mid-size (501 - 3,000 guests) $200
  
• Large (3,001+ guests) $350

Fire Prevention Fees

On-Street Parking Fees

Sacramento Police Department Fees

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