Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Special Events & Permits in Los Angeles, CA (2026)

5 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

LAMC § 41.20 requires a written Special Event Permit from the Bureau of Street Services' One-Stop Special Events Permit Office for any event requiring a street closure, reserved parking, or elevated municipal services. Applications must be filed at least 45 days before the event, with a $312 late fee for applications submitted 21 days or fewer before the event.

Special Events: Block Party Permits

Some Restrictions

LAMC § 41.20

No person shall conduct, manage or Sponsor any Special Event without a written permit that has been approved as required by this Section... Applications for Special Events, including those requiring street closures of local streets, including collector streets, and of major and secondary highways, or lane(s) thereof, as well as those that only request reserved curb side Special Event parking wh...

Parade Permits

No person may conduct, manage, or sponsor a parade or assembly in Los Angeles without a written permit from the Board of Police Commissioners. Applications should be submitted at least 40 days in advance, but the Board must act on any application received at least 5 days before the event.

Special Events: Parade Permits

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 103.111 (source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/losangeles/latest/losangeles_ca/0-0-0-1)

(c) Permit Required. No person shall conduct, manage or sponsor any Parade or Assembly without a written permit from the Board. No person shall participate in any Parade or Assembly with the knowledge that its sponsor has not been issued the required permit. (d) Interference with Event. No person shall knowingly join or participate in any Parade or Assembly conducted under permit from the Bo...

Street Fair Rules

Any street fair, festival or similar Special Event in Los Angeles needs a written permit from the One-Stop Special Events Permit Office in the Bureau of Street Services under LAMC § 41.20. Sponsors must file at least 45 days before the event, pay a $312 late fee if they file within 21 days, and cover every City cost the event generates, including lost parking-meter revenue.

LA Special Event Street Fair Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 41.20(a)-(b)

SEC. 41.20. CLOSURE OF STREETS. (a) ...No person shall conduct, manage or Sponsor any Special Event without a written permit that has been approved as required by this Section or any other applicable Section of this Code... (b) Application for Permit. Applications for Special Events, including those requiring street closures of local streets, including collector streets, and of major and second...

Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way

Los Angeles routes motion-picture, television and photography shoots around its regular Special Event permit desk. LAMC § 41.20(a) states the Bureau of Street Services' One-Stop Special Events Permit Office issues all Special Event Permits 'other than as provided for entertainment industry-related Special Events such as motion picture filming, television filming and photography,' which fall instead under § 41.20.1(d).

LA Special Events Rules Exclude Filming

Light Restrictions

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 41.20(a)

SEC. 41.20. CLOSURE OF STREETS. (a) ...The Board of Public Works shall establish a One-Stop Special Events Permit Office in the Bureau of Street Services for the issuance of all Special Event Permits, other than permits for Parades and Assemblies as defined in Section 103.111(b) of this Code, which are to be issued by the Los Angeles Police Department, and other than as provided for entertainme...

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

Under the 2024 Al Fresco Ordinance, eligible Los Angeles restaurants in commercial and RAS zones may operate outdoor dining areas without a separate CUP, but must prohibit music and entertainment and close by 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. near residential zones.

Special Events: Sidewalk Dining

Some Restrictions

LAMC § 12.21 A.24

24. Outdoor Dining Area Regulations for Restaurants (Al Fresco Ordinance). (Added by Ord. No. 188,073, Eff. 1/31/24.) (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish eligibility, development, and operational standards to facilitate Outdoor Dining Areas to support public health, safety, and welfare. (b) Applicability. Outdoor Dining Areas on private property in all RAS, C, and M zones, ...

Looking 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