Fountain Valley, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 12.08.130 governs group use of city parks. The community services director may issue permits allowing a group or an individual to use an area of a park to the exclusion of others for special occasions. The director issues a permit only after determining that it is in the best interests of the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city and of the other park users. If a permit is issued, the exclusive use area shall be clearly designated, and no unauthorized person shall enter that area during the period covered by the permit.

Section 12.08.170 sets the decision test for this and every other permit in the chapter that needs the director's approval. The director weighs the health, safety and welfare of other park users and the public in general, and the needs of other park users for access to the facilities. A group permit is therefore judged against the public's access to the same space.

Other Chapter 12.08 activities need their own permits from the community services director. Section 12.08.060 requires a permit beforehand for lighting fires outside a stove or grill, erecting barriers across paths, golfing, boxing, wrestling or martial arts, and flying model airplanes, drones, helicopters, rockets or balloons. Section 12.08.080 allows alcohol at the community center and the social hall in the recreation center only under a permit that includes an approved site plan and security measures. Section 12.08.150 requires written permission from the community services director beforehand for a sound-amplifying system. Under § 12.08.020, an "authorized activity" is one approved by the community services director or authorized subordinate for a certain place and time within any park.

Larger events fall under Chapter 8.50, Special Events. Section 8.50.030 requires applications for street or special events permits to be on file sixty days before the event unless an exemption applies. The city manager approves or denies within thirty days of a completed application, and an applicant has five days to appeal a denial to the city council.