Special Events & Filming
What is considered a special event?
Examples of a special event include an auto show, block party, festival, market or trade show, outdoor concert, parade, sporting event, walkathon, or a wedding. An event can be held on public or private property.
permits and fees - START HERE
- Complete the Special Event Proposal form first - available in PDF or Online. Once your proposal is reviewed, we will let you know which of these permit applications you need to complete.
- If you are unsure which form to start with, please give us a call, (831) 646-3770.
- Prices are subject to change. This page is a guide and may not have the latest fees posted. Links are to permit applications, not permits.
- Most permit applications area available as interactive Adobe PDFs. Save to your computer, complete and email to us at events@monterey.org.
- If you have any questions, please call (831) 646-3770. For questions about permits or events at City parks and beaches, please call Monterey Recreation at (831) 646-3866 or email: montereyrecreation@monterey.org.
Permit Type | Managing Office |
---|---|
Assembly, street closure, parade, amplified sound or race Assembly and amplified sound at City park or beach |
Monterey Conference Center Monterey Recreation |
Description and Fee $varies Complete for street closure, parade, amplified sound, assembly or race permit. A 4 hour minimum charge per officer if police presence is needed at an event where there are street closures; cost depends on the type of event. |
|
Banners | Streets or Planning |
Description and Fee For banners in the right of way - billed for actual costs of service - contact Jeff Glass at our Streets Division jglass@monterey.org or (831) 646-3927 For other banners associated with temporary use cases $10.72. Permit must be obtained in person from the Planning Office - Planning |
|
Recreation | |
Description and Fee Special Event Permit/Beach Wedding Permit $607 Colton Hall Wedding Permit $185.30 Mtry Res/$218 non-resident Group BBQ/Picnic Facility Use Permit at Park $61.20 Mtry Res/$80 non-resident Group Beach Use Permit $61.20 Mtry Res/$80 non-resident/$215 Commercial Use Bounce House/Inflatable Permit $50 See monterey.org/parks for more on City of Monterey parks and beaches, and pages 3, and 15-18 of the Master Fee Schedule for more Recreation fees and permits. Monterey Recreation will review all permit applications in order to ensure each application meets the City’s objective to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare by ensuring that events are compatible in size and type of use with their sites, etc. Submitting an application is not a guarantee of approval. Please note: Custom House Plaza and a few other parks in Monterey are managed by the State of California. See more information on State Parks use fees. |
|
Film, including waiver/hold harmless | Police |
Description and Fee $350 |
|
Parking Spaces | Parking |
Description and Fee Parking fees based on daily rate for number of spaces reserved plus 20% overhead. Slightly different for large groups. |
|
Business License | Finance |
Description and Fee Vendors participating in any Monterey special event that do not currently have a City business license must submit a business license application and the business license tax of $30. County Fair vendors are exempt from obtaining a temporary business license (MCC §19-15). Vendors are required to obtain a business license for all other events held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. |
|
Temporary Encroachment | Building |
Description and Fee $172 |
|
Tent/Canopy Use | Building |
Description and Fee SEE PAGE 21 for prices - Master Fee Schedule Fire plan and review, tent installation. Building Fees are equal to Fire Fees. Structural engineering must be provided for tent installation and anchorage. Trade show set-up review Special events stand-by (Fire) - fully burdened cost Fire Regulations for Portable Exterior Farmers Market and Festival Cooking Booths |
|
Traffic Control Plan Review Fee (see page 7) | Traffic |
Description and Fee $116 Traffic Control Plan Quick Reference |
|
Environmental Best Management Practices (BMPs) | Sustainability |
Event planners have the unique opportunity to hold activities in close proximity to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Please join us in protecting this valuable natural resource by making “pollution prevention” a critical outcome of your event. | |
Change or Cancellation |
ABOUT THE USE OF DRONES

(c) Can Stock Photo
February 2021: FAA making big rule changes for drones
If your agency flies a drone for shooting video, doing photography, or any other reason, the FAA has released a new rule that requires drones to broadcast what is essentially a digital "license plate" that identifies the serial number of the unit that can be traced back to the owner. Here are all the details: https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2021/02/faa-releases-remote-id-largest-regulatory-change-drones-years/172062/