Costa Mesa, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Costa Mesa Municipal Code Sec. 12-53 requires a reservation permit whenever an organized group of 10 or more people wants exclusive use of park space for a parade, picnic, league game or similar activity that would exclude other members of the public from that area. The application goes to the administrative services director (or a designee) and must be filed not less than three business days and not more than one year before the planned use. The director can charge a permit fee, set by resolution of the city council, and is directed to apportion facility use fairly among competing groups.

The director must issue the permit unless one of three specific grounds applies: the requested time conflicts with a previously issued permit for the same facility, the proposed use presents a significant adverse impact or imminent threat of damage or injury to the facility or to public health, safety and welfare, or the proposed use would violate this article or any other federal, state, county or city law. Before denying an application, the director must let interested persons submit relevant information orally or in writing, and must mail notice of the decision within 24 hours of deciding, itself due within three business days of filing.

A denied applicant can appeal to the Parks and Recreation Commission within seven days of the mailed notice, and the director's decision stays in effect while that appeal is pending. A separate permit process applies to staged events: Sec. 12-55 requires anyone setting up an exhibition, concert hall, show, performance or amusement in a park to get a permit from the Parks and Recreation Commission itself, distinct from the facility reservation permit under Sec. 12-53.