El Monte, CA Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

020 makes it unlawful to conduct one without a permit issued under the chapter. Applications go to the Permit Committee at least 30 days before the event and must include the block party's date, start and end times, proposed street closures, assembly and disassembly points, an estimate of participants and vehicles, and the name of the on-site supervisor, who must be present for the entire event. 040, the applicant must carry general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 combined single limit, naming the city as an additional insured, though the Permit Committee can waive that requirement after consulting the city's Risk Manager if the event poses no substantial liability exposure, and block parties built around constitutionally protected expressive activity get an alternate path that does not require full insurance.

160 also requires a cost-reimbursement deposit before the permit issues, covering the city's estimated expenses for traffic control; if actual costs run higher, the permittee owes the difference, and if lower, the city refunds the excess. 090, or, if there is not enough time before the event, to the City Manager on an expedited two-business-day schedule. 120 exempts funeral processions and government agencies acting within their normal duties from the whole chapter.