To guide you through the Special Event Permit Process, here is a summarized list of guidelines and requirements. Although these guidelines address a wide variety of events and details, you only need to provide information that relates to your specific event through the application process. 

» View the complete Special Event Guidelines

When is a permit required?
A Special Event Permit is required for any organized activity on public property where the public is invited, which results in or requires: 

• Any modification to traffic flow patterns (e.g., street closures, lane closures, traffic stops, etc.) or parking regulations
• Providing or selling alcohol to the public
• Any combination of two or more of the following: 
  • Sales or distribution of merchandise/food
  • Use of City utilities
  • Single tent or connected tents greater than seven hundred (700) square feet
  • Modification of facility/park hours of operation
  • Permit from Development Services Department and/or for generator(s) (greater than 10kw), staging, or other temporary structure(s). 

Event Organizer Responsibilities
As an event organizer, it is your responsibility to assess the venue, environment, anticipated attendees and components of your proposed event to ensure the safety of your guests, citizens and the surrounding environment affected by your event. 

By applying for a special event permit, you have the sole responsibility at all times to be knowledgeable about, fully understand, and meet all local, state and federal codes, laws, policies and regulations associated with the proposed event and its related activities. You and your representatives also agree to accept the venue in an as-is condition and inspect all areas within the event venue and immediate surrounding areas for hazards and take any reasonably necessary actions to protect event participants and attendees until corrective/remedial measures are implemented. 

Costs and Fees
The Permit Applicant/Organization is legally and financially responsible for the overall organization, management, and implementation of an event and its related activities. 

Payment of the application fee does not guarantee that your special event permit application is complete, nor does it guarantee that any or all aspects of the application will be approved. 

Application Fees:

• $150 for non-road closure event
• $300 for road closure event

Business License
City of Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 5.22.010 states that every person conducting, managing, carrying on or operating a special event must obtain a business license.

Other Costs and Fees
In addition to the permit application fee, you may be assessed other City permit fees, or costs and fees associated with personnel or resources provided to your event by a city department, program or division.  We will do our best to estimate those costs during your application process!

Post-Event Fines
Fines may be assessed by the City for the cost to repair and/or restore any public property damaged by the event. 

Submitting Your Application

• Submittal Deadline:  No later than forty five (45) days prior to the actual date of your event date. 
• Your application must be complete. It will not be processed if you have not provided the required information.
• Additional Permits and Authorizations:  Applicants are responsible for obtaining all permits and authorizations required by other agencies (e.g. Alcohol Beverage Control Permits) 
• All insurance requirements must be filed with your application.
• Late and incomplete applications may not be processed.

Event Specifics

Event Date/Time 
No set-up will be permitted before a permit is issued and dismantle must be completed by the time indicated on your permit. Your insurance must cover all time frames. 

• If your event takes place over multiple sequential calendar days and the event plans are similar in nature from day-to-day, one application may be submitted to include all of your event plans per calendar year.  
• If you will be having a series of periodic dates for events that have identical event set-up and dismantle times, site plans, and service providers, one application may be suitable.
• If your event plans vary significantly from day-to-day or have multiple distinct event types (e.g. a parade with a separate festival) that may be best managed as separate events, the city may require separate permit applications for the specific event types. 

Attendance 
Your estimated attendance should be based on the total number of people you anticipate will attend, participate in or watch your event. Providing the estimated attendance or number of participants for your event helps in the review of your event plans with emphasis on public safety, venue occupancy, staffing, and impact to the surrounding neighborhood. 

Add your event to the City's Calendar
You'll find the link at the top left of the calendar page.  You'll need to set up an account or login. Be sure to include all the details of your event! Once your event is submitted online, it will be reviewed - then be added by Office of Communications staff if approved.

Venue 
Secure use of your desired venue prior to submitting your Special Event Permit Application. You will also need to provide an accurate representation or map of your entire proposed venue including all event activity.

City Streets and Public Right-of-Ways 
If your proposed venue is limited to city streets and public right-of-ways, submission of the Special Event Permit Application serves as reservation of this space. 

Events on Port of San Diego Property
Events at J Street Marina, Marina View, and Bayside Parks require a Port of San Diego special event permit. Please contact the Port of San Diego at (619) 686-6200 for reservations and information. You must secure approval for use of the venue site prior to submitting your Special Event Permit Application with the City of Chula Vista. The Port of San Diego’s approval documents must be included as part of your Special Event Permit application. 

Private Property 
If you propose to use private property as a part of your event plans, including production areas and shuttle parking, you must provide authorization as part of your permit application from the property owner to use the property. If approval to use the property is authorized by a property manager, the authorization letter must indicate that the property manager is authorized to approve the use on behalf of the property owner. 

Event Cancellation
If you cancel or reschedule the date of your proposed event or any permitted elements of the event, you must notify the Office of Communications in writing no less than 48 hours in advance of the set-up time for your event. Should personnel or other resources be dispatched to support your proposed event or an event activity that has been cancelled, the Permit Applicant/Organization will be assessed the cost of the services provided. 

Your Permit
The final permit issued by the City of Chula Vista is valid only for the venue area(s) and event activities, including set-up and dismantle, depicted on your site plan and as described in the Special Event Permit Application and any attachment and/or amendments made to the application during the review process. The City of Chula Vista may place conditions or not approve all venue areas and/or activities requested in the permit application. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit, additional requirements of the City of Chula Vista or requirements established in the Special Event Planning Guide may result in the immediate cancellation of the event, denial of future special event permit applications or the requirement of a cash deposit for surety bond.

Common Reasons for Denial of Application

• Application is submitted less than forty five (45) days prior to scheduled event start date
• Application is found to be incomplete or contain material falsehood or misrepresentation
• Inadequate insurance coverage
• Requested venue has already been reserved on the same date for another event/activity
• Requested venue cannot physically accommodate the proposed event, due to the number of anticipated attendees or size/nature of planned activities
• City staff cannot provide necessary services to ensure public safety or prepare/maintain venue
• Event organizer has violated the terms of previous event permits or damaged City property
• Event organizer has unpaid debts resulting from previous events (e.g. fees assessed for permits, city services, damages, etc.)
• Application is submitted without a trash, recycling, and a detailed litter abatement plan (see requirements)

Appealing Denial of Application
If the Office of Communications denies a special event application, an appeal may be submitted in writing to the City Manager. If the City Manager’s office upholds the denial of application, a final appeal may be presented in person at the next City Council meeting, by filing a speaker request in advance with the City Clerk’s Office.

Exempt Activities: 

1. Events that include a Gazebo/Picnic Shelter/Area rental or are at a City facility secured with a Facility Use Permit. 
2. Funeral processions by a licensed mortuary. 
3. Activities conducted by a governmental agency, acting within the scope of its authority. 
4. Lawful picketing and free speech activities that do not involve the use of vehicles, animals, fireworks, pyrotechnics or equipment (other than sound equipment). 
5. Events conducted by local elementary schools, middle schools, high schools or colleges that are conducted on their own grounds and property, and will not significantly impact traffic flow on surrounding public streets or pose a risk to public safety. However, these events often require Temporary Special Parking Permits issued by Traffic Engineering. Contact Traffic Engineering at (619) 691-5026 for more details. 
6. Any religious activities taking place on premises approved and/or regularly used for religious purposes. 
7. Block parties, for which a block party permit has been issued. 
8. Standard sporting leagues/tournaments held within a City park or recreation field, and where all necessary facility use permits and approvals have been requested and granted by the Department of Recreation, Public Works, and/or Police. However, these events often require Temporary Special Parking Permits issued by Traffic Engineering. Contact Traffic Engineering at (619) 691-5026 for more details. 
9. Weddings, parties, or other celebrations or events where all necessary facilities use permits and approvals have been requested and granted by the Department of Recreation, Public Works, and/or Police. 
10. Established assembly/entertainment facilities with long-term contracts with the City of Chula Vista.