Ventura, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Event threshold
- More than 100 attendees
- Enforcing office
- Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships Director
- Free permit tier
- Category 1 nonprofits pay 0% of basic rate
- Top fee tier
- Category 6 pays basic rate plus 50%
- Free speech waiver
- Granted on proof of inability to pay
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. No. 2019-022 (eff. 12-9-19)
Summary
In the City of Ventura, anyone planning an activity in a city park that draws more than 100 people, charges admission, sells goods or food, or reserves park space exclusively must get an event permit from the parks, recreation, and community partnerships director under Municipal Code Chapter 20.20 before the event happens.
“Event” means any of the following: 1. Any activity in a park that is planned for, or carried out in a manner to attract, more than 100 people to attend or participate in the activity; ... Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful, subject to punishment in accordance with Chapter 1.50 or 1.150, or Section 2.370.056, for any person to sponsor or conduct an event in a park unless authorized by a permit issued by the director as provided by this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-008, passed May 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
120 defines an 'event' as any park activity planned to attract more than 100 participants, any activity charging a fee or soliciting donations, any activity selling food, beverages, or merchandise, or any activity requiring exclusive reservation of a park area. Filming under a filming permit and activities under a special event permit issued elsewhere in the code are excluded from this definition. 056. 240: Category 1 volunteer nonprofit fundraising organizations pay zero percent; Category 2 nonprofit recreation organizations pay 50 percent; Category 3 local community or nonprofit organizations pay 75 percent; Category 4 private functions, closed-membership groups, and private school activities pay the full basic rate; Category 5 commercial in-city users pay the full rate plus 25 percent of gross receipts or a negotiated flat fee; and Category 6 pays the full rate plus 50 percent.
230 requires the director to waive fees for a free speech event when the applicant proves an inability to pay through a financial declaration. The director can deny an application, and an aggrieved applicant may pursue administrative review and, for non-free-speech events, a city council appeal under Article 6. The director or a sworn public safety officer may also emergency-suspend an event to protect public safety, with written notice to the applicant within 24 hours.
Violations & Fines
Sponsoring or conducting an event in a Ventura park without a director-issued permit is unlawful under Section 20.20.140 and is punishable under Chapter 1.50 civil penalties, Chapter 1.150, or Section 2.370.056. Interfering with a permitted event, or parking within a site the director has posted as a no-parking zone for the event under Section 20.20.810, is a separate violation of the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a park event permit in Ventura?
How much does a Ventura park event permit cost?
Can the city waive the fee for a free speech event?
What happens if someone interferes with a permitted park event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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Park Event Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle park event permits.