Lake County, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Chapter 15, Article VIII bans alcohol in County parks and public recreational areas as a general rule. Sec. 1 prohibits possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverage in a County park or public recreational area, but carves out an exception for a special event held under a Facility Use Permit. Sec. 15-47(c) defines 'special event' broadly to include parades, barbecues, concerts, art shows, boat and ski races, walkathons and similar events open to and benefiting the general public, and specifically extends the definition to weddings, wedding receptions, reunions and organized group picnics or barbecues.

Sec. 15-47(d) defines the 'facility use permit' itself as a written permit issued by the Lake County Public Services Department Director. Under Sec. 1, an applicant seeking to serve alcohol at a special event must submit a written application to the Public Services Department at least 10 days before the event; the Director may approve it with conditions needed to protect public health, safety and welfare, or deny it outright. Where a permit is granted, Sec. 1 requires that alcohol be served only in non-glass containers, confined to a specific posted and monitored area, and subject to any special conditions the Director sets.

Sec. 15-47(e) exempts Highland Springs Park entirely from the article because of its size and multiple uses. The County posts signs at park and recreational-area entrances under Sec. 2 warning that alcoholic beverages are prohibited except as allowed by a Facility Use Permit. Sec. 15-51 carries a 12-month sunset clause tying the article's continuation to Board of Supervisors action, though the provisions remain in the current code.