Cathedral City, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 11.44.040 applies in every park and recreation area under city control. Section 11.44.010 defines those areas to include grounds, roadways, avenues, parks, buildings, and school facilities while they are in use as recreational facilities. The trigger is fifty or more persons at a meeting, organized gathering or assemblage, group picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise. The rule names the organizer and also anyone who holds, conducts, participates in, attends or addresses such a gathering without the written permit, so it reaches attendees as well as hosts.

The city manager, acting personally or through a designee, can grant permits for observance or commemoration of a public celebration, event or demonstration of a patriotic, municipal or memorial character, or for social, educational, training, entertainment or recreational purposes. An application is granted if the issuing authority determines that the activity is consistent and compatible with park uses at the location applied for, is reasonable and will not interfere with general use by others, will comply with this code and every other law, is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct, will not entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the city, and has no other reason making the permit detrimental to the public interest. Subsection D conditions permits for religious services, or for advocating or opposing a denomination's creed, on payment of a fee that fully reimburses all involved costs, including overhead and capital investment, while other aspects of those applications are processed on an equal basis.

Money and conditions: if an admission fee, contribution or collection is proposed, the application must say so, and no one can charge or collect unless the permit allows it (subsection E). Subsection F lets the issuing authority attach conditions, require suitable insurance, an indemnity bond or other guarantee, and a money deposit or payment for extra police, fire protection or cleanup services. The permit must specify the time, the place and the name of the permit holder (subsection G). Selling merchandise in a park separately requires authorization under a § 11.44.040 permit, Chapter 5.36 or 5.48, or a concession agreement (§ 11.44.060(S)).