Simi Valley, CA Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Simi Valley folds neighborhood block parties into Chapter 17 of Title 5, "Parades, Athletic Events and Public Assemblies." The chapter defines a "public assembly" as "any group of people participating in an organized activity ... on or within a City street, parking facility, sidewalk or other public right-of-way," other than a parade or athletic event, which is exactly what a street-closing block party is. Section 5-17.05 makes it unlawful to "conduct, sponsor, or knowingly participate" in such an assembly that obstructs traffic "unless and until a permit ... has been approved and issued," and a permit is not final until the Chief of Police receives the applicant's written acceptance.

Applications go to the Chief of Police's office. Filing at least 45 days ahead of the event preserves the right to appeal a denial to the City Council; filing 25 to 45 days ahead still gets the application processed, but the applicant waives that appeal. The Chief of Police must act within 10 days of receiving a complete application. An application fee set by City Council resolution applies to every block party permit except those built around an exercise of free speech rights, which are fee-exempt under § 5-17.08.

Before a permit issues, the organizer must sign an indemnification agreement (§ 5-17.11) and carry at least $1,000,000 in combined single-limit public liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured (§ 5-17.12), and must pay a traffic-control fee covering the City's actual cost of policing the closure (§ 5-17.13); free-speech events are exempt from all three. The Chief of Police can deny or condition a permit for reasons including traffic congestion, a competing event on the same date, or insufficient police staffing to cover it (§ 5-17.10), and a denied applicant can appeal to the City Council within five days (§ 5-17.04). Violating the chapter, or the terms of an issued permit, is a misdemeanor under § 5-17.21.