Special Events & Block Party Permits

[Scroll below for Film Permits] The City of Ventura issues permits for individuals, groups, and companies to conduct events within the City of Ventura limits. Activities such as block parties, parades/processions, athletic/sporting events, walk-a-thons, and festivals that impact City streets, sidewalks, parking lots, public property, airways, public buildings, and traffic require a permit to be filed in advance. Many private properties also require permits for special activities that have the potential to impact the public-right-of-way.

• Plan an Event (brochure - PDF)
• Holding a Special Celebration at City Hall (brochure - PDF)

Step One – Call, visit and obtain a Special Event or Block Party Application

Download your applications here:
Special Event Application (fillable PDF)
Block Party Application  (fillable PDF)
City Hall Rental Application  (fillable PDF)

Call or visit historic Ventura City Hall: M-F, 10 am – 5 pm (closed alternate Fridays & holidays)
City of Ventura Parks/Recreation/Community Partnerships Office
STAFF: Michelle Godoy, Special Event Coordinator, City of Ventura
visit: 501 Poli St., Rm 226, Ventura, CA  93001
mail: P.O. Box 99 - Rm 226, Ventura, CA 93002
phone: (805) 654-7749  fax: (805) 648-1030
email: mgodoy@cityofventura.net    website: http://www.cityofventura.net/permits

Step Two – Complete & return your application with fees

Special Event applications, along with the non-refundable application fee, should be submitted 30-90 days before your event. This timeframe allows the Permit Staff to receive all the necessary City of Ventura department approvals associated with the planning and execution of the event. Applications received one week prior to an event are subject to additional charges.

Applications for a Block Party, along with the non-refundable application fee, must be submitted no less than (15) business days from the date of your event. A petition page with at least 3/4 signatures of the owners/residents authorizing their consent in writing is also required when submitting the application. Additional conditions for conducting a Block Party are outlined within the application.

Step Three – Receiving your permit

Once the permit staff receives the application fee, and any supplemental paperwork, the application will be forwarded to the appropriate City departments for review and adherence to applicable City ordinances and regulations. Specific requirements and any additional fees will be included in a detailed agreement to be signed by the "Permittee" prior to the event.

A Certificate of Insurance and endorsement page naming the City of Ventura as an additional insured will be required prior to the release of any Special Event Permit. Block Party Permits require a copy of a the "Permittee's"; homeowner's policy or the "Permittee" may purchase insurance through the City of Ventura. Click here to view a sample of acceptible insurance documents (pdf).  Mandatory wording for liability insurance and endorsement page of the certificate must specify::

City of Ventura, its officials, employees, volunteers
P.O. Box 99
Ventura, CA  93002

Once approved, the "Permittee" will be contacted and asked to visit City Hall, room 226, to sign the permit, pay any outstanding fees or satisfy insurance requirements.

What else should I be aware of?

As a condition of the permit, the "Permittee"; may be required, by not limited to, the following:

·Pay for City Public Safety Officers or representatives to control traffic or provide safety or inspections at the event Post streets with appropriate signage and/or place and man barricades· Notify business/residents in writing or in person prior to the event· Contact and obtain required permits from other regulatory agencies or organizations· Coordinate specific aspects of the event with other City of Ventura departments

How To Contact Us

Event Permit Staff are available by phone Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to answer questions regarding your upcoming event or visit City Hall Monday-Friday (closed alternate Fridays & holidays) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.:

City of Ventura
Parks/Recreation/Community Partnerships Office
501 Poli Street, room 226
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 654-7749
mgodoy@ci.ventura.ca.us