Special Events Permit

A DPW Special Event permit is required if an event fits any of the following:

a) The public road is closed for a parade, street fair, festival, or other similar activity. This would include use of the road for event support such as parking or equipment staging.

b) The public road is used to conduct an organized athletic event such as a bicycle ride/race or a running/walk event.

c) The proposed event will or has the potential to impact the normal operation of the roadway. This can include the use of traffic control staff to direct traffic in and/or out of the event site or installing temporary traffic control devices in the County right-of-way.

d) The public road is closed to conduct a Neighborhood Block Party.

Special Event Permits are limited to non-profit applicants and are processed by the Traffic Engineering Section. If you would like to apply for a permit, please submit an application (click here) to:

DPWSpecialEvent.Permit@sdcounty.ca.gov

or

County of San Diego

DPW Traffic Engineering Section

Special Event Permits

5510 Overland Ave, Suite 410 (MS 0332)

San Diego, CA  92123-1239

Phone (858) 694-3866 – Dan Mappala (Special Event Permit Coordinator)

Fax (858) 694-3928

Per County ordinance, the application package should be submitted no less than 30 days prior to the event but no more than 180 days.

Special Events Ordinance Update

The County is in the process of updating the ordinance for Special Events in the right-of-way. 

Why:

  • The current ordinance was established in 1965 and last amended in 1988.
  • The original purpose of the ordinance was to promote parades.
  • There has been an evolution in the types and sizes of events within communities.
  • There have been more athletic events than parades.
  • Modern events impact the ability of residents to access homes, businesses, and roads.
  • The current ordinance does not establish appropriate submittal timelines for reviews.

Ordinance update will:

  • Include events that the current ordinance does not address (i.e. bicycle events, 5K runs).
  • Define the process for obtaining permits.
  • Define community outreach requirements.
  • Establish appropriate deadlines for advance application submittals.

Draft Special Events Ordinance (click here)

Draft Permit and Equipment Rental Costs (click here)

Environmental Questionnaire (click here)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (click here)

The Special Events Ordinance Update workshop originally scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2020 has been cancelled. We will share the re-scheduled workshop details once that has been determined.

Scheduled Road Closures and Traffic Controls

 

Roads | Traffic