Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Issued by
Parks Director, General Services Agency
Application lists
Applicant, sponsor, activity, dates, hours, facility, headcount
Approval standard
No unreasonable interference with enjoyment or safety
Standard fine
$45 per violation
Applies to
All County Parks, unincorporated area

Summary

When a permit is required for the use of a Ventura County Park, § 6304 makes it unlawful to use the park without first obtaining one. The application, filed with the Parks Director under § 6304-1, must state the applicant's name and address, the sponsoring organization, the nature of the activity, the dates, hours and park facility desired, and an estimate of the number of participants.

City-specific rules exist: Ventura, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo have their own park event permits rules that differ from Ventura County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Whenever a permit is required for the use of a County Park, it is unlawful for a person to use a County Park without first having obtained such a permit... an application shall be filed with the Director stating: (a) The name and address of the applicant... (d) The dates, hours and park facility for which the permit is desired; (e) An estimate of the number of participants...

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).

Full Breakdown

The permit system runs through the Parks Director of the General Services Agency, identified in Ordinance Code § 6303(c). Section 6304 sets the baseline rule: whenever a County Park use requires a permit, using the park without first having obtained that permit is itself unlawful, separate from any other park regulation. Section 6304-1 then fixes what the application must contain, and each element serves the review. The name, address and sponsoring organization establish who is responsible for the event, the nature of the activity tells the Director what is proposed, and the dates, hours, facility and estimated participant count let the Director weigh the event's size against the specific space requested. Approval is not automatic. Under § 6304-2 the Director may approve an application only if the proposed use will not unreasonably interfere with public enjoyment of the park or with safety, so that interference-and-safety standard is what decides whether a picnic area, field or other facility gets reserved.

Violations & Fines

Using a County Park facility without the required permit, or violating a permit's conditions, is a misdemeanor or infraction under § 6301-1, subject to a $45 fine per § 6303-7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who approves a Ventura County Park event permit?
The Parks Director, identified under § 6303(c), who under § 6304-2 approves only uses that will not unreasonably interfere with public enjoyment or safety.
What must the application include?
The applicant's name and address, the sponsoring organization, the nature of the activity, the dates, hours and park facility desired, and an estimated number of participants, per § 6304-1.
What if I use a reservable facility without a permit?
That is unlawful under § 6304 and is a misdemeanor or infraction under § 6301-1, with a $45 fine per § 6303-7.
Can the Director turn down an application?
Yes. § 6304-2 allows approval only when the use will not unreasonably interfere with public enjoyment of the park or with safety.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ventura County

All Ventura County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview

Get notified when Park Event Permits in Ventura County, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Park Event Permits in Cities Across Ventura County