Special Events & Permits in Davis, CA (2026)
6 verified special events & permits rules for Davis, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Davis lets residents close a street for a block party or similar neighborhood gathering only with a police chief-issued street use permit, revocable at the city's discretion. The same 'special event' definition used for the open-container ordinance names a neighborhood block party as a qualifying activity.
Davis Street Closure Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code §§ 26.04.010, 35.01.060
Special eventincludes, but is not limited to, the following types of activities: a neighborhood block party, barbecue, picnic, fundraiser, community event or any other type of similar social event. ... (a) Upon proper written application on a form prescribed by the city, the police chief may grant a revocable permit for the temporary closing or use of any portion of any street for celebrations,...
Park Event Permits
Anyone wanting exclusive use of a Davis park facility or area, for a picnic reservation, a gathering, a sale, or any activity beyond ordinary first-come first-served use, must get a permit from the parks director. The director issues, appeals, and can revoke that permit under fixed standards.
Davis Park Facility Use Permit
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code Section 27.02.180
A permit shall be obtained from the director for exclusive use, or as otherwise required by this article, of any park facility or area. ... The director shall issue a permit hereunder when he or she finds: ... That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety, and other recreation; ... That the proposed activi...
Parade Permits
Davis Municipal Code Article 35.04 requires a permit from the chief of police to hold any parade, march, ceremony or procession on city streets or in parks, filed 48 hours to 30 days ahead, with denials appealable to the city council.
Davis Parade Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code §§ 35.04.020, 35.04.040
No person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any parade, unless a parade permit shall have been obtained from the chief of police; except, that this article shall not apply to funeral processions. ... An application for a parade permit shall be filed with the chief of police not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days before the date on which it is proposed to con...
Parklets
Davis lets downtown restaurants and property owners extend into the public right-of-way for parklets, but only within the sidewalk's designated "Enhancement Zone" and only under a Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the city, per Municipal Code Section 40.14.120.
Davis Downtown Parklet License Rules
Some RestrictionsDavis, CA, Municipal Code § 40.14.120 (Downtown Outdoor Dining Program)
Zone D: Enhancement Zone: ... The space immediately next to the sidewalk and can accommodate a variety of uses including parklets, bicycle facilities, and green infrastructure. For the purpose of this section, the Enhancement Zone shall not exceed the minimum area needed to provide emergency vehicles access. ... Design Standards. All furnishings placed in the eligible public spaces for outdoor ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants and bars in downtown Davis need a Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the city before setting tables or furniture in the public right-of-way. Use is capped to designated sidewalk zones, and every outdoor dining agreement predating the current ordinance expires July 1, 2026.
Davis Downtown Outdoor Dining Permits
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 40.14.120
(b) Eligible Public Spaces for Outdoor Dining. Use of the public right-of-way, public property, or urban open space for outdoor dining shall be restricted to sidewalk zones A, C, and D in the Downtown zones as shown in Figure 40.14.120.A: Sidewalk Design Elements. ... (d) License Agreement. All parties must enter into a Downtown Outdoor Dining License Agreement with the city to utilize any port...
Outdoor Heater Rules
Davis bans open fires in city parks and civic spaces, but carves out a specific exception for propane heaters and fire-top tables used under the Downtown Outdoor Dining Program. Section 27.02.130(c) exempts those permitted heaters from the general no-fire rule, and Section 40.14.120 requires their furnishings to meet council-adopted design standards.
Davis Outdoor Dining Propane Heater Rule
Some RestrictionsDavis, CA, Municipal Code §§ 27.02.130(c), 40.14.120(c) (Behavior in parks; Downtown Outdoor Dining Program)
No person using a park shall make or kindle a fire for any purpose. For the purpose of this subsection, make or kindle a fire does not include: (1) The ordinary use of commercial charcoal in a barbecue for the purpose of cooking food, or (2) The permitted use, under the Downtown Outdoor Dining Program, of propane heaters or fire-top tables. ... Design Standards. ... All furnishings placed in th...
Looking for Yolo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Davis city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Yolo County →