Event Permits & Reservations Office

Filming, video capture and photography on public property for commercial purposes in the City of Santa Cruz requires a permit. This application is solely for the use of public property within the City’s jurisdiction. If utilizing private property, arrangements must be made with the property owner.

Overview

If you are filming on public property in the City of Santa Cruz (including still photography) for commercial purposes, you must have a permit. This application is solely for the use of public property within the City’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.

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 City 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 City staff after reviewing the application, and payment will be required in order to book the requested date(s)/time(s).
• Santa Cruz City Council members, 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 City of Santa Cruz” permit. This permit must be on hand at the approved location at all times while filming or photography is taking place.

Application Requirements

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

• Film, Video & Photography Permit Application(PDF, 779KB) along with appropriate fee payment (see Fee Schedule - effective Jan 6 2025(PDF, 376KB))
• Certificate of Insurance and required Endorsement (see insurance requirements(PDF, 181KB))
• A Site Map of requested location that lists equipment and/or other items that will be utilized.

Minor & Major Public Events: These events may involve street closures, amplified music, admission charges, sales of goods or services, large numbers of people, and/or the use of City property and City personnel.

Although by invitation only, does involve a street closure in order to set-up tables/chairs/canopies for neighbors to mingle.

We are accepting permit applications for indoor and outdoor events following state guidance.

See current fees(PDF, 376KB), and bookmark this page to stay abreast of future fee changes. For questions, send us an email at eventpermits@cityofsantacruz.com!

Overview

Block party permits help the City balance event impacts with the needs of the rest of the community. Scheduled to benefit residents, neighbors, family & friends of a specific street, Block Party events are not open to the general public.

Application Requirements

The following forms must be received at least 30 days before the planned date of the event. A block party cannot be confirmed until your application and all requested materials have been reviewed and approved.

• Neighborhood Block Party Application(PDF, 814KB)
• Completed Neighborhood Consent Form(PDF, 33KB)
• Copy of Invitation
• Example of a Notification Form(PDF, 256KB)
• Site Plan that includes location of barricades, adult monitors, and equipment.
  
  Note: A 16' clearance for emergency vehicles is required.

Special Conditions

• If the event includes sales of goods or services, unusually large numbers of people, street closures, amplified music, and/or admission charges, this event may be considered a larger special event and require a different permit.
• Street Closures. The barricade information sheet(PDF, 272KB) must be reviewed prior to submitting application. The block party coordinator/permittee must comply with these requirements. Barricades or cones are not provided, but are available at traffic equipment rental companies (A Tool Shed: 831-477-7133; StopCo: 831-238-1066; Western Traffic Supply: 925-249-1854).
• Requests that include a street closure in a specific neighborhood must keep sidewalks open and available to non-participants.

Instructors and businesses that utilize outdoor public spaces for classes and commercial activities require a permit. Rent a space in a City Park to use for your next outdoor class.

Overview

The City of Santa Cruz offers (via permit) limited public spaces within the parks system for outdoor classes. Reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis. Please review the information below to assist your planning. Or learn more about teaching classes as a Parks and Recreation Instructor. For questions and location information, please contact (831) 420-5270 or email at eventpermits@cityofsantacruz.com us.

Application Requirements

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

• A completed Private Reservations application(PDF, 352KB)
• A copy of your current City of Santa Cruz business license
• A copy of your current certificate of insurance and required endorsements; See insurance requirements(PDF, 181KB).

Fees

• Annual Application Fee: $50.00
• Usage Fee: Non-profit = $8.00/hr; Commercial: $15.00/hr

Standard Permit Conditions

• City of Santa Cruz outdoor facilities may be reserved daily between 8:00 am to dusk. Most outdoor facilities must be reserved for a minimum of 2 hours. Entrance to the facility is permitted for the time approved on the permit. Permittees are also expected to leave at the time specified. The times of the reservation must include all set-up and clean-up time. If the time limits are exceeded, the permittee will be charged an overtime rate of 1 ½ times the hourly rental rate.
• Any changes to the permit must be made it writing by the permittee only and are subject to a $25.00 permit change fee. No changes will be made with less than one week’s notice.
• Outdoor Instruction reservations require a 4-date minimum per month, 2-hour minimum per date.
• Reservations may be cancelled in writing not less than 14 days prior to the scheduled event, with a permit processing fee of $100 or 50% of the permit fee, whichever is less. Cancellations of less than 14 days receive no refund of fees. Refunds are not given for inclement weather.

Private Reservations: Small and large private reservations such as picnics, weddings or park rentals require advanced booking.

Any political, civic, religious or other public activity intended primarily for the communication of ideas as opposed to the generation of monetary profit or advertisement of goods by the participants or sponsors of the event. Marches/parades remaining on sidewalks, as opposed to the street, would be included here.

We are accepting permit applications for indoor and outdoor events following state guidance.

See for current fees(PDF, 383KB), and bookmark this page to stay abreast of future fee changes. For questions, send us an email at eventpermits@cityofsantacruz.com!

Overview

A Public Gathering and Expression (PGE) event is any political, civic, religious, or other public activity intended primarily for the communication of ideas by the participants in or sponsors of the event (SC Municipal Code 10.65). The PGE permit application helps the City logistically accommodate the event to promote public safety and welfare, and to assure that the First Amendment rights of those who wish to peacefully participate in the event on public property are preserved and protected.

Please submit an application If your event plans to:

• Use public/City properties, such as Compass Rose/Sister Cities’ Plaza (by Post Office), the corner of Cooper and Pacific, Memorial Plaza (plaza by Jamba Juice), the Town Clock, Soquel and Pacific (by Forever 21), and public sidewalks.
  Note: Other requested public areas are subject to availability; Fees may be required.
• Host more than 100 participants;
• Last longer than one (1) hour;
• Utilize displays larger than 18 inches wide x 6 foot high;
• Use amplified sound;
• March or walk using sidewalks/pathways only.

Application Requirements

The following forms must be submitted a minimum of five (5) business days and no more than six (6) months prior to the event.

• Public Gathering and Expression Application(PDF, 885KB)
• Map of Requested Route (Required for marches or walks only on sidewalks)

Event Planning Considerations

• Requests for alcohol, overnight storage, and/or activities in the street will cause the event to be considered a Public Special Event and will require a different application.
• Monitors
• Parking needs
• Electrical needs (if requesting city outlet access, $30 minimum fee)
• First Aid
• Security issues
• Restroom facility needs
• Garbage and recycling impact

Application Review and Approval

• Please keep in mind that the event should not be considered confirmed until your application has been approved. Once your application and all requested supplemental materials have been received, a Permit Officer will review the documents. You will be contacted as soon as possible to confirm your request.
• If City staff and/or services are required, it is understood that all associated costs are to be paid by the Applicant.
• 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 and Expression event and available upon request by City officials.

We are accepting permit applications for indoor and outdoor events following state guidance.

See for current fees(PDF, 383KB), and bookmark this page to stay abreast of future fee changes. For questions, send us an email at eventpermits@cityofsantacruz.com!

Overview

A Street Performance Permit may be obtained for performances, which cannot be accommodated by the existing Downtown Ordinances. Permits may only be issued in at least one of the following situations:

1. the performance requires a space greater than 2’ by 6’ and/or
2. set-up time requires more than 20 minutes

Application Process & Materials

Please complete the following application and allow 3-4 business days for staff to process your permit request:

Street Performance Application(PDF, 22KB)

If approved, the permit must be in the performer's possession during permitted hours, and it is recommended that performers visibly display their permit at all times to avoid disruption of the performance.

Standard Permit Conditions

• Permits are issued for a maximum of two (2) hours on Pacific Avenue and the side streets off Pacific Avenue and for a maximum of three (3) hours in the downtown alleys. Only one performance per day in each location. Permitted hours are between 11:00 am and 9:00 pm.
• Only one (1) permit, per applicant, per day in a specific area will be issued, however, a permit may be obtained for up to four (4) performance dates.
• Permits are granted every day of the week; however a permit will only be approved for one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) per week in the same location.
• Permits are issued up to ninety (90) days in advance.
• Use of fuel-powered generators for electricity is not allowed. Battery-operated amplifiers are permitted. If you require an outside power source, an Access to Power Permit is available for amplified music and can be obtained through the Parks and Recreation Department. Access to Power list available at the Memorial Plaza (Pacific Ave and Front St @ Mission) and Pacific @ Cooper St. The permit fee is listed on the Facility Fee Schedule.
• No commercial sales are allowed; however, donations may be accepted for copies of the performer’s music.
• Street performers shall manage and monitor crowd size and exercise crowd control by engaging in performance intermissions or taking other actions to moderate the crowd size whenever a clear pedestrian thoroughfare along the sidewalk is maintained at all times. In some cases monitors must be used to assure crowd safety.
• Street performers must obey all local, state, and federal laws and must comply with police officer directives to ensure public safety.
• As a courtesy, businesses adjacent to where the performance will occur must be notified by permittee of the performance at least one (1) week prior to the performance, in order to take into consideration any concerns.
• Failure to comply with the rules, complaints, excessive noise, public safety issues or crowd control concerns may result in immediate termination or suspension of permit and citation. (Ord. 9.40.060)