Redding's Special Events & Permits: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles special events & permits a little differently. In Redding, California, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

A Redding restaurant can only put tables on a public sidewalk with a license agreement from the director of development services under Chapter 13.25, and that license is limited to the downtown central business district and to the operator of the abutting business.

Key details: Permit issuer: Director of development services. Geographic limit: Downtown Central Business District only. Who can apply: Only the abutting business's operator. Application fee: $50, per § 13.25.040. Permit status: Temporary, non-transferable, revocable with or without cause.

Operating a sidewalk dining area without the director's license agreement, expanding beyond the licensed footprint, or adding alcohol service or changing the arrangement without filing a new application under § 13.25.050 exposes the operator to the city's general obstruction enforcement; because § 13.25.030F lets the city terminate a license "with or without cause," a permittee has no guaranteed right to keep operating even after following the rules.

This is one of the stricter rules in Redding's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Park Event Permits

Redding requires a park facilities reservation permit for temporary exclusive use of city parks, issued by the Community Services Director under Municipal Code Section 2.56.040. Larger events needing other city departments get routed instead to a special events permit under Chapter 11.44.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 2.56.040. Issuing authority: Community Services Director. Fees: Set by city's fee and service charge schedule. Large multi-department events: Routed to special events permit, Ch. 11.44. Permit must be: Carried and shown on request.

Permit holders must carry the permit and produce it on demand. Section 2.56.040(E) states no person shall fail to produce and exhibit a permit claimed to have been issued when a department employee or peace officer requests it to check compliance with the code. Failure to hold a valid permit for exclusive use, or refusing to show one on request, exposes the sponsor to enforcement by community services staff or police and can result in denial of future reservation requests or forfeiture of any posted security deposit.

Street Fair Rules

Redding requires a temporary use permit for carnivals, fairs, festivals and farmers markets under Municipal Code Section 18.17.030(E), and pins each event type to a hard day count, from four days for a flea market or swap meet up to ten days for a carnival, fair or outdoor sporting event, capped at four events of one type per property per year.

Key details: Carnivals/fairs/festivals: 10 days, max 4 events/year/property. Flea markets/swap meets: 4 calendar days per event. Farmers markets: 3 days per site per week. Off-site vehicle sales: 5 days, 2 events/year/property. Application deadline: 15 days before event start.

Running a carnival, fair, festival or farmers market beyond its Section 18.17.030(E) day count, or without the temporary use permit required under Section 18.17.040, is a Title 18 zoning violation enforceable by the development services director under Chapter 18.25. The director can also impose site-specific conditions under Section 18.17.080, covering signage, hours, and cleanup within three days of closing, and can decline a future permit for a site with a history of exceeding its allotted days.

Block Party Permits

In Redding, closing a street for a block party requires a special event permit from the city clerk under Redding Municipal Code § 11.44.050, and the application is circulated to six city departments before any street can be shut down for the gathering.

Key details: Permit issuer: City Clerk under § 11.44.050. Reviewing departments: 6: police, fire, community services, public works, convention center, risk mgmt. Street closure authority: Transportation/engineering director with police chief. Resident notice: At least 5 business days before closure. Cost responsibility: Organizer, unless council waives by vote.

Section 11.44.090 makes it unlawful for anyone to interfere with a permitted special event, including blocking participants or vehicles along the route, running, walking or riding a wheeled device through the crowd, throwing any substance at participants, or grabbing or striking a participant or mounting a vehicle in the event; none of that applies with the permit holder's consent or during a genuine emergency.

Compared to other cities, Redding takes a harder line on block party permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parade Permits

The Redding City Council can designate official parade routes by resolution, but anyone marching an organized parade, even on one of those routes, must still file for a special event permit with the city clerk under Redding Municipal Code § 11.44.040 before the parade date.

Key details: Governing section: RMC § 11.44.040 (standard parade routes). Routes set by: City council resolution. Permit filed with: City clerk under § 11.44.050. Street closure notice: At least 5 business days. State highway crossing: Separate Caltrans permit required.

Section 11.44.090 makes it a violation for anyone to interfere with, disrupt or impede a permitted parade, including blocking marchers, vehicles or animals along the route, running or riding a wheeled device through the procession, or throwing any substance toward participants; none of this applies with the permit holder's consent or during a genuine emergency.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Redding actively enforces its parade permits requirements.

The Bottom Line

Redding is tougher than many cities when it comes to special events & permits. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redding, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Redding's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.