A public or private event scheduled in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County which may include:

• Selling food & beverages, alcohol
• Sales of goods or services
• Admission charges 
• Host more than 100 attendees
• Use amplified sound
• Possible street closures
• Parking shuttles
• Parades, marches, or drive-ins
• Use public properties, such as streets, and public sidewalks. 
  NOTE:  Other requested public areas are subject to availability; Fees may be required.
• Last longer than one (1) hour
• Utilize displays larger than 18 inches wide x 6 foot high

These activities have separate permit costs, related fees, and various departmental approval requirements. The permit application helps the County logistically accommodate the event to promote public safety and welfare.

For example, some large private events, such as block parties scheduled to benefit residents, neighbors, family, & friends of a specific street are not open to the general public but still require permits for street closures or, food, beverage, or product sales.

Another example might be political, civic, religious, or other public activity intended primarily for the communication of ideas by the participants in or sponsors of the event. 

If your event is:

• Selling food and/or beverages, you will require a permit from the Health department.
• Setting up temporary structure or tents in public spaces, you may require a permit.
• Selling alcohol and you already have an ABC license, you will require a permit from the Health department.
• Utilizing or closing sidewalks, roads, entrances, etc. on public property, you will require an encroachment permit.
• Planning to have a fireworks display, you will require approval from the local Fire Department.
• If your event includes provisions to supply electrical power via electric generators, or by connecting to existing permanent electrical systems, you will require an electrical permit.

When you have your dates in mind, contact the Permit Center team, even if your event is more than a year away. 

For events taking place on private property, where a zoning permit may be required, the Permit Center team recommends budgeting at least six months.  Construction permit applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event to avoid additional fees.  Late construction permit applications may result in construction delays or event occupancy restrictions.  Processing times for traffic, encroachment, waste management, food and alcohol permits fall within a minimum of 120 days prior to the event.

Applications submitted less than 30 days prior to the event may not be processed; call prior to submitting.  All applications fees will double if the application is submitted less than 60 days prior to the event. 

The first step in planning your event in Monterey County should begin with Monterey County’s Permit Center. The Permit Center is the routing authority and part of Housing & Community Development (HCD), the County’s centralized agency for public and private land use and development, including zoning permits, construction permits and traffic permits.  HCD has several regulatory roles related to special events designed to uphold the Building Code and Monterey County ordinances related to land use and encroachment into the public right of way. 

Complete the application answering each question as thoroughly as possible a minimum of 60 days prior to your event:

• Submit the completed application along with:

• Tentative site plan drawing
• Map of the requested route of a street closure (for parades, triathlons, street festivals, etc.) 

These will be reviewed to confirm that event location is available and other logistical details allow for the event to be scheduled. Once the application has been reviewed, the applicant will be contacted and an application fee will be required to confirm the event reservation.

Applications submitted less than 30 days prior to the event may not be processed; call prior to submitting.  All applications fees will double if the application is submitted less than 60 days prior to the event. 

The Permit Center team will assess the scope of your event to determine which permits are required.  The Permit Center team will meet with you, in person or over the phone, to collect a number of pieces of important information which will clarify the need for Housing & Community Development (HCD) and partner agency permits.

• Requests for alcohol, overnight storage, and/or activities in the street will cause the event to be considered a Public Special Event.
• The use of video cameras or film production
• Parking needs
• Streets, roads affected
• Size of attendance
• Temporary structures, tents, bleachers, etc.
• Liability Insurance
• Animal rides or a petting zoo
• Cooking in tents
• Entrances, exits, traffic flow patterns)
• Notifying surrounding residents and/or businesses to my event
• The event includes body art services- including tattoo, body piercing, branding or permanent cosmetics
• Event signage or directional signage in the street
• Decibels - Amplified music or sound
• Event hours after 10pm
• Reasonable accommodations for the disabled
• Electrical needs
• Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC inside any tents during the event
• First Aid stations, professional medical services or EMTs
• Security
• Restroom facility needs, portable or flush
• Garbage and recycling impacts

For events taking place on private property, where a zoning permit may be required, the Permit Center team recommends budgeting at least six months.  Construction permit applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event to avoid additional fees.  Late construction permit applications may result in construction delays or event occupancy restrictions.  Processing times for traffic, encroachment, waste management, food and alcohol permits fall within a 45 day range.

Our Permit Center team will assist you with all of your regulatory permit needs, however, if you or a vendor fails to get a specified permit, a Code Enforcement officer may come out to your event and “Red Tag” the issue. 

For example, if a vendor has installed a tent measuring more than 400 square feet, and no permit was applied for, the Code Enforcement officer will affix a red tag on the tent and the tent will need to be removed or a permit and inspection must occur before the vendor can participate in the event.

Another example might be building a stage higher than originally planned. If the stage is built more than 30 inches high without a permit and an inspection, this is also a code violation and a permit must be applied for. 

HCD provides construction permit, planning permit and encroachment permit applications.  Depending on how you complete the questionnaire, you may need permits or approvals from other agencies, such as the Health Department or Fire.  Our Permit Center team will assist you.

If you are filming on public property in the County of Monterey (including still photography) for commercial purposes, you must have a permit. This application is solely for the use of public property within the County’s jurisdiction. Requests for using Drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems - UAS) for filming must submit FAA certifications and/or other requirements with the application. 

If private property is utilized, arrangements must be made with the property owner and appropriate land use entitlements.

Application Requirements

The following documents must be received no later than one (1) week prior to the requested date(s): 

• Application
• County insurance requirements and certificates as required.
• A site map of requested location that lists equipment and/or other items that will be utilized.

Application Review & Approval

• The application and all requested supplemental documents must be approved before any filming or photography may begin.
• The application will be reviewed to determine which County services, if any, are required. Review will take longer if multiple dates, locations, and/or significant street closures have been requested.
• Fees will be determined by County staff after reviewing the application, and payment will be required in order to book the requested date(s)/time(s).
• Monterey County Board of Supervisors, along with the Police and Fire Departments will be advised of large film permit requests. 
• If the application is approved, the applicant will be issued an “Authorization to Film in the County of Monterey” permit. This permit must be on hand at the approved location at all times while filming or photography is taking place

Your event should not be considered confirmed until your application has been approved and permits ISSUED.  Once your application and all requested supplemental materials have been received, a Permit technician will review the documents. You will be contacted as soon as possible to confirm your request and pick-up your necessary permits.

Upon approval of the application, a signed permit and Conditions of Use will be issued to you.  These must be on hand during the Public Gathering events and available upon request by County officials.

SpecialEvents@co.monterey.ca.us
Main (831) 755-5025

The overview of the Special Events Task Force is to form a partnership between event planners and regulatory agency staff to provide support addressing life, health and safety issues. The purpose of this meeting is to guide event organizers through the County permit process and to familiarize them with agency staff who will be their points of contact, and to have an open discussion with stakeholders on any concerns regarding an event.

If you have a question regarding Special Event Task Force Agendas, email SpecialEvents@co.monterey.ca.us. For more information on a specific event, please contact the Permit Center at (831) 755-5025.

If you would like to receive or stop receiving the Special Event Task Force meeting notifications, agendas and minutes via email, please Click Here to be added to the monthly distribution list. 

The Special Event Task Force is scheduled to meet the fourth Thursday of the month, unless otherwise notified.

Meetings will be held via ZOOM.
Schedule is subject to change.

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