Special Events

Special events are community events that bring together residents and visitors to celebrate in Los Altos for a wide variety of reasons and times of year. These events are required to receive a special event permit from the City.

What is a special event?

• Any organized formation, parade, procession, demonstration or assembly which may include persons, animals, vehicles, or any combination thereof, which is to assemble or travel in unison on any street, sidewalk or other public right-of-way owned or controlled by the city which does not comply with applicable traffic regulations, laws or controls; or
• Any organized assemblage of one hundred fifty (150) or more persons at any public place or property which is to gather for a common purpose under the direction or control of a person; or
• Any other organized activity involving one hundred fifty (150) or more persons conducted by a person for a common or collective use, purpose or benefit which involves the use of, or has an impact on, public place or property and which may require the provision of city public services in response thereto; or
• Any organized activity conducted in any public place or property, such as a City street, sidewalk, alley or other right-of-way, or private property which generates a crowd of spectators sufficient in size to obstruct, delay or interfere with the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or to restrict access to parks, recreation areas or other public areas; or
• Any event that requires a special event permit through Santa Clara County Fire.

Examples of special events include, but are not limited to, concerts, parades, circuses, fairs, festivals, street fairs, community events, mass participation sports (such as marathons and other running events), athletic or sporting events, and community celebrations and observances conducted on public property or public rights-of-way.

If you are planning to host an event and would like clarification on whether you will need to apply, please send an email to to econdev@losaltosca.gov.

What is not a special event?

• Any event that does not qualify for any of the above; or
• Any event solely held on private property with no impact to the public right of way; or
• Block parties, which are run through a separate permit process.

How much does it cost for a special event permit?

Below is the list for application fees that will be charged in addition to the actual departmental services charges incurred in connection with or due to the permittee's activities under the permit unless said service charges are funded, partially funded or waived by action of the City Council.

If a permittee wishes to cancel the event after submitting their application due to a reason within the permittee’s control, the permittee will not receive a refund of their application fee and may incur additional fees for the actual costs incurred by the city at the time of cancelation.

How do I apply for a special event permit?

Applications shall be filed not less than sixty (60) calendar days, nor more than one year before the time it is proposed to conduct the special event.

Please submit complete application forms or any questions regarding special events to econdev@losaltosca.gov.