Chula Vista, CA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Special event license tax
- $250.00 per day/event
- Waiver eligibility
- Events ≤3 days promoting the City
- Nonprofit waiver
- Council discretion
- Temporary-business bond
- $2,000 cash or surety
- Bond trigger
- Paid-admission event under 30 days
Summary
Anyone running a circus, concert, carnival, or other special event in Chula Vista must pay a $250-per-day license tax under CVMC 5.22.010, though the City Council can waive it for events of three days or less that promote the City, or for nonprofit and charitable events.
A. Every Person conducting, managing, carrying on or operating a circus, concert, carnival, or other similar exhibition, or special event, shall pay a license tax as presently designated, or as may in the future be amended, in Section 5.22.010 of the master tax schedule in CVMC 5.07.030. The license tax in this section provided shall be in addition to all other fees due and payable to the City... B. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the City Council may waive the business license taxes and/or fees for those events of not more than three successive days that help to promote and publicize the City of Chula Vista.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3623, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
00 per day per event, on top of any other City fees. Subsection (B) lets the City Council waive that tax and other fees for events lasting three successive days or less that 'help to promote and publicize the City of Chula Vista,' and separately lets the Council waive the tax for nonprofit or charitable organizations. 075 or holding an annual business license instead. 020 requires anyone running a theater, show, exhibition, circus, carnival, wrestling or boxing match, dance, or other paid-admission amusement from a tent or temporary place of business for less than 30 days to post a $2,000 cash bond, or a surety bond of the same amount, with the Finance Officer to guarantee compliance with the chapter and other City ordinances. 380, was repealed by Ordinance 3256 in 2013.
Violations & Fines
Conducting a circus, concert, carnival, or other special event without paying the CVMC 5.22.010 license tax, or without posting the $2,000 bond required by 5.22.020 for a temporary paid-admission operation under 30 days, is a violation of Chapter 5.22 enforceable under the City's general license and administrative citation provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chula Vista require a permit to hold a carnival or concert?
Can a nonprofit avoid Chula Vista's special event license tax?
Is a bond required to run a temporary carnival booth in Chula Vista?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chula Vista
California rules heatmap·Compare Chula Vista to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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Parade Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle parade permits.