How Redwood City Handles Special Events & Permits: A Practical Guide

Redwood City maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with special events & permits. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Redwood City falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Parade Permits

A parade, march, or other gathering that closes a Redwood City block or intersection is regulated as a "special event" temporary street closure under Chapter 33A. Organizers need a Chief of Police permit filed at least 10 days ahead, City-set fees, event insurance, and written neighbor or business consent before the closure date.

Key details: Permitting authority: Chief of Police. Filing deadline: At least 10 days before event. Business consent (commercial frontage): 100% required. Appeal window: 72 hours or 2 working days. Appeal hearing set within: 48 hours of filing.

Anyone aggrieved by a denial can appeal to the City Manager within 72 hours or two City working days, whichever is longer, and the City Manager must set the appeal for hearing within 48 hours and may affirm, reverse, or modify the Chief of Police's decision (Sec. 33A.12). The Chief of Police can revoke an issued permit at any time for emergency, disaster, riot, traffic hazard, or a violation of the permit's conditions, and continuing the street closure after revocation notice has been delivered is itself unlawful (Sec. 33A.14).

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

Street Fair Rules

Redwood City requires a Temporary Use Permit before any carnival, circus, concert, fair, festival, food event or similar large-crowd entertainment activity, on private or public property. The Zoning Administrator reviews applications with no public hearing, and a standard event permit runs up to 90 days, renewable once to 120 days within a 12-month period.

Key details: Permit type: Temporary Use Permit. Review authority: Zoning Administrator, no hearing. Standard duration: 90 days, renew once to 120. Renewal deadline: 14 days before expiration. First-offense fine: Up to $100 (infraction).

Running an unpermitted street fair or festival is a Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by the Zoning Administrator under Article 50. Violations are infractions punishable by a fine up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second violation of the same provision within a year, and up to $500 for each further violation within that year (§ 50.5). Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense (§ 50.6).

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

Redwood City lets restaurants add sidewalk or patio dining as an accessory outdoor use under Zoning Code Section 31.15, but only for restaurants that are already tenants, capped at the business's normal hours, and limited to 30% of a shopping center's non-accessible parking if sited in the lot.

Key details: Governing section: Zoning Code § 31.15. Who qualifies: Existing restaurant tenants only. Parking lot cap: 30% of non-accessible spaces. Accessible path required: 6 feet along building frontage. Public sidewalk dining: Needs separate encroachment permit.

Under Section 31.15.E, the City can prohibit or shut down an outdoor dining setup that obstructs pedestrian or vehicle traffic, endangers public health or safety, or violates Section 31.15 or any applicable State or County health order, in addition to the general code-enforcement remedies in Article 50.

Park Event Permits

Redwood City requires a Temporary Exclusive Use Permit under Code Section 25.2.03 for park activities like groups of 25 or more, jumper structures, portable BBQs, overnight camping, amplified sound, live music, filming for commercial use, or selling merchandise. The Director sets fees and reviews every application case by case, and can require insurance and security.

Key details: Permit required for: Groups of 25+, camping, BBQs, filming. Also requires permit: Amplified sound, live music, sales. Alcohol allowed: 5 named buildings or Dept. events only. Insurance: Director may require liability coverage. No permit obtained: Separate violation, Sec. 25.2.02(N).

Holding a qualifying park activity without a Temporary Exclusive Use Permit is itself a separately prohibited act under Section 25.2.02(N), and any violation of the permit rules in Section 25.2.03 is an infraction under Section 25.2.06, punishable as provided in Code Section 1.7B. The sponsoring group or organization, not just an individual attendee, is responsible for the violation and for any resulting property damage.

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

Block Party Permits

Closing a Redwood City street for a neighborhood block party requires a Chief of Police permit under Code Sec. 33A.2. Residents must apply at least 10 days ahead, get majority consent from neighbors fronting the block, pay a City-set fee, and can appeal a denial to the City Manager within 72 hours.

Key details: Permitting authority: Chief of Police. Filing deadline: At least 10 days before event. Max area: One City block or intersection. Residential zoning requirement: At least two-thirds of area. Neighbor consent: Majority of fronting owners/residents/tenants.

The City must give written notice of issuance or denial within five days of the application, stating reasons if denied (Sec. 33A.11); an aggrieved applicant can appeal to the City Manager within 72 hours or two City working days, whichever is longer, with a hearing set within 48 hours (Sec. 33A.12). The Chief of Police can waive the 10-day filing deadline for good cause (Sec. 33A.13), but can also revoke a granted permit at any time for emergency, disorder, traffic hazard, or a permit violation, and continuing the closure after revocation notice is delivered is itself unlawful (Sec. 33A.14).

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

The Bottom Line

Redwood City 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 Redwood City, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Redwood City can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.