Special Events & Permits in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
10 verified special events & permits rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Block parties in Los Angeles requiring street closures need permits from the Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) Street Use Division. Applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the event. Community events qualify for reduced fees if they promote civic pride and benefit charitable or non-profit organizations. Event sponsors are responsible for traffic control and cleanup costs per LAMC §103.111.
Los Angeles Block Party Permits
Some RestrictionsPark Event Permits
Events in LA city parks require permits from the Department of Recreation and Parks. Events expecting over 100 attendees or generating over $5,000 in fees need a Facility Use Agreement or Special Events Agreement. Smaller events may only need a Facility Use Permit. A LAFD-approved safety plan must be submitted to LADBS before applying for a temporary special event permit. Alcohol service requires separate ABC authorization.
Los Angeles Park Event Permits
Some RestrictionsSidewalk Cafe Rules
Sidewalk dining in LA requires a revocable permit from the Bureau of Engineering under the LA Al Fresco program. A 5-foot pedestrian access route must be maintained on the sidewalk. Businesses with temporary outdoor dining authorizations must apply for permanent permits by July 1, 2026. No smoking within 10 feet of dining areas per LAMC §41.50. ADA-compliant passing areas required every 200 feet.
Los Angeles Sidewalk Cafe & Outdoor Dining Permits (LA Al Fresco)
Some RestrictionsParade Permits
LAMC §103.111 requires a parade permit issued by the LAPD Special Events Permit Unit, with First Amendment carve-outs for spontaneous political marches that limit advance-notice and fee requirements when no street closure is needed.
LA Parade Permits Run Through LAPD Special Events Unit
Some RestrictionsStreet Fair Rules
LAMC §103.111 governs street fair permits in Los Angeles, with parallel LAFC §3106 fire-safety review, ABC alcohol licensing, and Bureau of Sanitation cleanup deposits, vendor sourcing rules, and amplified-sound limits coordinated by LAPD.
Street Fair Permits Bundle PD, Fire, And Sanitation Review
Some RestrictionsCommercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way
When commercial productions need rights-of-way already permitted for parades, races, or street fairs, FilmLA and the LAPD Special Events Permit Unit jointly coordinate scheduling under LAAC §22.350 and LAMC §103.111 to avoid conflicts and double bookings.
FilmLA And LAPD Coordinate When Filming Overlaps Permitted Events
Some RestrictionsAl Fresco Permanent Program
LA City Council Ordinance 187887 (2023) made the COVID-era LA Al Fresco program permanent, allowing restaurants to operate outdoor dining on private lots, sidewalks, and curbside zones with a streamlined LADOT and LADBS joint permit and uniform design standards.
LA Al Fresco Permanent Outdoor Dining Program
Some RestrictionsParklets
Parklets convert one or more curbside parking spaces into a raised dining or seating platform under LADOT People St and the LA Al Fresco program. Approval requires structural review, ADA clearance, and preservation of an eight-foot minimum sidewalk pedestrian path.
Parklets Curbside Dining Platforms Permits
Some RestrictionsSidewalk Dining Beyond Cafes
Pop-ups, food halls, and outdoor seating outside traditional sidewalk cafes need a Bureau of Engineering revocable encroachment permit plus an LADBS outdoor dining permit. Operators must keep five feet of clear sidewalk and meet ADA route standards.
Sidewalk Dining Encroachment Permits Beyond Cafes
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Heater Rules
Outdoor restaurant heaters in LA must follow LAFC Section 61 propane storage limits, LAMC Section 11.10 Board of Engineering Commissioners rules for sidewalk fixtures, and CARB outdoor heater emissions standards. AB-1346 small-engine rules do not apply to patio heaters.
Seasonal Outdoor Patio Heaters Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Los Angeles County →