Special Events & Permits in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
4 verified special events & permits rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Santa Monica residents or businesses can close a neighborhood street for a block party by filing a permit with the Department of Transportation. The process requires a neighbor petition, advance notice, and is limited to streets classified as Neighborhood Streets, Shared Streets, or Avenue: Industrial.
Special Events: Block Party Permits
Light RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.68.190(b)
§ 4.68.190(b). Block Party Street Closure. Requests for a permit to utilize a street for a block party shall be made by filing an application for a "permit to close a public street" with the Department of Transportation. The applicant must be a resident living on or a business located on the block of the street to be closed. Where the majority of the parcels in the area of the requested closure...
Park Event Permits
Any organized event on City-owned property involving 150 or more persons, or requiring a temporary structure needing a Fire or Building permit, requires a community event permit from the City's Community Events Committee.
Special Events: Park Event Permits
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.68.040
§ 4.68.040. Permit required. "Community event" means any of the following: (1) Any organized formation, procession, or assembly of persons, animals, vehicles, or any combination thereof, that assembles or travels in unison for any purpose, on any sidewalk, street, pedestrian path, alley, or other public right-of-way that either: (i) is likely to impede, obstruct, impair or interfere with free u...
Parade Permits
Parades and marches in Santa Monica require a community event permit and must follow five designated parade routes, generally in one direction only. Alternative routes may be permitted if cross-traffic can be maintained and participant safety ensured.
Special Events: Parade Permits
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 4.68.150
§ 4.68.150. Parade routes. (a) Subject to the requirements of this Chapter, a community event permit may be issued for a march, procession, walk, or parade in one direction only on the following streets: (1) Ocean Avenue, between Adelaide Drive (northwest City limits) and Pico Boulevard; (2) Commencing on Ocean Avenue at the intersection of Adelaide Drive (northwest City limits) and continuing ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants in Santa Monica may set up outdoor dining on public sidewalks only as an accessory use to a legally established eating or drinking establishment, after obtaining Zoning Conformance Review, a Sidewalk Dining Permit, and a City license agreement.
Special Events: Sidewalk Cafe
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.31.200
§ 9.31.200. Outdoor Dining and Seating on Sidewalks. Outdoor dining and seating on sidewalks shall be designed, located, and operated consistent with the following standards: A. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to permit outdoor dining and seating that enhances the pedestrian ambiance of the City while not adversely impacting adjacent properties or surrounding neighborhoods consistent wi...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Los Angeles County →