Special Events & Permits in San Rafael, CA (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for San Rafael, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
San Rafael, California, in Marin County requires an event permit from the police department before any assembly, including a neighborhood block party, closes off or occupies a public street.
San Rafael Street Assembly Event Permit
Significant RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 19.30.020
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or other applicable law, an event permit shall be required to be obtained from the San Rafael Police Department for the following activities: A.A parade, procession, march or assembly consisting of persons, animals, vehicles, or any other combination thereof, which is to assemble or travel in unison on any public street, highway, alley, sidewalk o...
Park Event Permits
San Rafael requires a city manager permit for exclusive use of any park or building, or for any gathering of 25 or more people, before the event can take place.
San Rafael Park Gathering Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 19.20.030.A
A person wanting either (1) exclusive use of any park, building or portion thereof, or (2) use of a park, building or portion thereof for gatherings of twenty-five (25) or more persons, must apply for and obtain a permit for such use, activity or event, from the city manager. It is unlawful for any person to engage in any use of any park, building or portion thereof, for which a permit is requi...
Parade Permits
San Rafael requires an event permit from the police department for any parade, march or assembly on a city street, sidewalk or right-of-way that would impede traffic or bypass normal traffic controls.
San Rafael Parade and Assembly Permit
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 19.30.020
...an event permit shall be required to be obtained from the San Rafael Police Department for the following activities: A. A parade, procession, march or assembly consisting of persons, animals, vehicles, or any other combination thereof, which is to assemble or travel in unison on any public street, highway, alley, sidewalk or other city-designated public right-of-way and which either: (1) may...
Parklets
San Rafael calls its parklets "streetaries": outdoor eating areas built inside on-street parking spaces next to a restaurant. Chapter 11.70 requires an annual streetary encroachment permit from the public works director, caps them at two parking spaces in commercial districts, and bars them from ADA spots, colored curbs, hydrants, and bike lanes.
San Rafael Streetary Parklet Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 11.70.050
A.Streetaries are permitted in existing parking spaces within the right-of-way in all commercial districts.B.Streetaries are only permitted in the parking spaces within the right-of-way directly adjacent to the food service establishment street frontage.C.Notwithstanding subsection A, above, streetaries shall not be permitted along streets with (1) peak hour parking restrictions or (2) speeds l...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
San Rafael bars restaurants from using city sidewalks or rights-of-way for outdoor seating without a license agreement with the city, requiring $1 million liability insurance and a 6-foot clear pathway.
San Rafael Sidewalk Cafe License Rule
Significant RestrictionsSan Rafael Municipal Code § 14.16.277(A)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the use of city sidewalks or other city rights-of-way for outdoor eating areas is prohibited without a license agreement between the adjacent food service establishment and the city, which license agreement shall be in lieu of any environmental design review permit, use permit, administrative use permit, encroachment permit or other permit req...
Looking for Marin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Rafael city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Marin County →