Special Events & Permits in Sonoma County, CA (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Sonoma County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Block parties in unincorporated Sonoma County are regulated as public right-of-way special events. A permit is required whenever a street gathering draws more than 50 participants, filed 60 days to 5 years ahead through the Permit and Resource Management Department.
Sonoma County Block Party Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSonoma County Code §§ 15-25, 15-27
"Celebration" means any activity involving a group of people gathering for the purpose of socializing and taking part in festivities. Celebrations include, but are not limited to fairs, carnivals, block parties, and festivals. ... No special event shall take place on Sonoma County highways which involves more than fifty (50) participants, unless the sponsoring persons ... has applied for and be...
Park Event Permits
Any meeting, gathering, picnic, celebration, parade, or similar assembly of 25 or more people in a county park requires a written permit from the park authority before it happens. Smaller groups need no permit.
Sonoma County Park Event Permits
Some RestrictionsSonoma County Code § 20-20
No person shall hold, conduct, participate in, attend or address any meeting, organized gatherings or assemblage, group, picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise of twenty-five (25) or more persons, in any park or recreation area without a written permit granted by the park authority.
Parade Permits
Parades and other special events on unincorporated Sonoma County roads need a public right-of-way permit once more than 50 people take part, filed with Permit Sonoma at least 60 days ahead.
Sonoma County Parade & Special Event Permits
Some RestrictionsSonoma County Code § 15-27
No special event shall take place on Sonoma County highways which involves more than fifty (50) participants, unless the sponsoring persons, corporations, city, club, organization, association, etc. has applied for and been issued a special event permit pursuant to this article, unless exempt pursuant to the terms of this article. The county's purpose for requiring permits to be obtained is ...
Street Fair Rules
Sonoma County requires a public right-of-way special event permit for any street fair, celebration, or parade with more than 50 participants, issued by the Permit and Resource Management Department.
Sonoma County Street Fair Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSonoma County Code § 15-27
No special event shall take place on Sonoma County highways which involves more than fifty (50) participants, unless the sponsoring persons, corporations, city, club, organization, association, etc. has applied for and been issued a special event permit pursuant to this article, unless exempt pursuant to the terms of this article.
Special Events & Permits by City in Sonoma County
2 cities in Sonoma County have their own special events & permits rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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