Special Events & Permits in Berkeley, CA (2026)
6 verified special events & permits rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
A Berkeley block party can close one local street or intersection with a City Manager permit if at least two-thirds of the abutting area is residentially zoned. Organizers must indemnify the City and clean the street within four hours of the event.
Berkeley Block Party Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 13.44.030(A)
A. Local streets not exceeding one City block or one intersection may be temporarily closed for block parties provided that the following requirements are met: 1. At least two-thirds of the area abutting the street or intersection to be closed is residentially zoned and the purpose of the block party is consistent with residential zoning regulations; 2. A valid permit has been obtained from the...
Park Event Permits
Gatherings of 50 or more people in most Berkeley parks, or 100 or more in Cesar Chavez Park, Civic Center Park or sports-use parks, need a City Manager permit under BMC Chapter 6.46, with earlier filing and extra conditions for larger 'major' events.
Berkeley Park Event Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 6.46.020(D)
"Park event" means any demonstration, assembly, festival, fair, concert, or any other gathering of 50 or more persons over the age of 12 years at the same time and for the same collective purpose within an area circumscribed by a 500 foot radius, in any park other than Cesar Chavez Park or Civic Center Park. In Cesar Chavez Park, Civic Center Park and any other park or part thereof which is reg...
Parade Permits
Berkeley requires a City Manager permit before any parade, march, demonstration, festival or other event that closes a public street, sidewalk or alley. Chapter 13.44 sets filing deadlines, insurance thresholds and content standards for street event permits, while a simpler process covers neighborhood block parties on local streets.
Berkeley Parade and Street Event Permits
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 13.44.010(A); § 13.44.040(B)-(C)
No person shall conduct, cause to be conducted, participate in, engage in, hold, manage, employ, permit or allow another to conduct an event which requires street closure or other traffic control measures on any public street, sidewalk or alley within the City, without first obtaining a permit from the City Manager or their designated representative. ... Application for (1) high impact events, ...
Street Fair Rules
A Berkeley street fair or festival is a 'street event' requiring a City Manager permit filed at least 10 business days ahead, or 30 days for high-impact routes or Certified Farmers' Markets. Permits can require security, insurance, cleanup, and sound-permit compliance.
Berkeley Street Fair Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code §§ 13.44.020(H), 13.44.040(B)-(C)
H. "Street event" includes any march, demonstration, assembly, parade, festival, street fair, concert or any other gathering which takes place in the public street or right-of-way, and which is likely to impede, obstruct, or interfere with the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. "Street event" does not include "block party". ... B. Application for (1) high impact events, (2) street ...
Parklets
Berkeley lets businesses convert curbside parking into public parklets only in Commercial, Mixed-Use, and Mixed Manufacturing zoning districts, under a Public Works permit issued through BMC § 14.48.190. Permits require ADA compliance, a 25-foot clearance from hydrants and curb returns, a six-foot width cap, and at least $1 million in liability insurance naming the City as additional insured.
Berkeley Parklet Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley, CA Municipal Code § 14.48.190
A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Chapter, the City of Berkeley Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works, or its successor, may approve Parklets, Benches and/or Planters in the public right of way (excluding Sidewalks alone, which are subject to and governed by Section 14.48.200) as set forth in, and in compliance with, this Section. 3. A permit for a Parklet...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Berkeley has stopped issuing discretionary Administrative Use Permits for sidewalk cafe seating on the public right-of-way, requiring restaurants instead to obtain a streamlined permit under the sidewalks and streets chapter with fixed, identifiable standards.
Berkeley Sidewalk Cafe Seating Permit
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 23.302.060(A)(2), (C)
It is the intent of the City to discontinue issuance of new and terminate existing AUPs for sidewalk cafe seating because the City did not intend to create a land use entitlement which ran with the land for this use, which occurs on the public right-of-way. ... After an AUP for sidewalk cafe seating is terminated, the sidewalk cafe seating may continue or resume only after the food service esta...
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Alameda County →