Special Events & Permits in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for Palm Springs, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Palm Springs' director of community development may close any street for celebrations, parades, block parties and other local special events under Municipal Code Section 12.80.010 whenever the closing protects public safety. The police department can also close a congested street on its own authority, and driving through a closed street is a separate violation under Section 12.80.030.
Palm Springs Block Party Street Closures
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 12.80.010 (Street Closure - Determination); § 12.80.030 (Operating a Vehicle on Closed Street - Prohibited)
§ 12.80.010. Street closure—Determination. (a) The director of community development for the city of Palm Springs may close a portion of any highway, street or public way for celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of such director, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the highway, street or...
Park Event Permits
Palm Springs requires a city manager permit for any meeting, picnic, celebration or gathering of six or more people in a park or recreation area once warning signs are posted, under Section 11.44.040. The city must grant a permit that meets compatibility, safety and cost criteria, and violating the posted permit requirement is a misdemeanor.
Palm Springs Park Gathering Permits
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11.44.040 (Permits for Gatherings and Meetings)
No person, where a sign has been posted in accordance with subsection (h), shall hold, conduct, participate in, attend or address any meeting, organized gathering or assemblage, group picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise, of six or more persons, in any park or recreation area without a written permit granted by the city manager as provided in Section 11.44.040 of the Palm Springs Mu...
Parade Permits
Palm Springs requires a written permit from the city manager before anyone may conduct or manage a parade, coordinated through the police chief and community development director under Chapter 11.24. Permits in congested areas need 30 to 180 days' notice, and standard city parades run about two hours starting near 10 a.m.
Parade Permits in Palm Springs
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11.24.040 (Permit-Required-Contents); Sec. 11.24.050 (Permit-Application-Contents)
No person shall conduct or manage any parade without a written permit. Such a permit shall be issued by the license division of the city after approval by the city manager upon recommendation by the chief of police and the director of community development. The city manager may refuse a permit for a parade when the primary function thereof is to publicize or advertise a person, business organiz...
Street Fair Rules
Palm Springs lets the City Manager temporarily suspend regulatory ordinances, including the noise and sign ordinances, for street fairs, festivals and other visitor-drawing special events under Municipal Code Chapter 6.12. Every suspension must identify the exact dates, persons and code sections affected, and the City Manager's decision is appealable to the city council.
Palm Springs Special Event Ordinance Suspension
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 6.12.030 (Authority to Suspend Regulatory Ordinances)
The City Manager may suspend the operation of any one or more regulatory ordinances to the extent that such ordinances would otherwise apply to one or more specifically designated special events conducted, sponsored, cosponsored or sanctioned by the City. The ordinances which may be suspended include, without thereby limiting, the Noise Ordinance, the Sign Ordinance, and any other regulatory or...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Outdoor dining set up on public property, including the streets and sidewalks of the Central Business District, needs a Land Use Permit under the Zoning Code before a restaurant can put tables in the right-of-way. Because it is an accessory use, that permit is processed as a Type II Land Use Permit rather than the primary-use Type I track.
Palm Springs Sidewalk Dining Land Use Permit
Significant RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Zoning Code § 92.09.01(C)(3)(e); § 94.02.01(C)(1)
C. Uses Permitted by Land Use Permit. ... 3. Outdoor uses as an accessory to a permitted primary use and located on public property including the public right-of-way (streets and sidewalks): a. Art displays; b. Artisans and artists; c. Festivals, exhibits and special events; d. Musicians/entertainment (subject to provisions of noise ordinance); e. Outdoor dining; ... Land use permits for primar...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Springs city rules.
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