Planning a Community Event

Thank you for considering the City of Palmdale for your upcoming special event. Our community event application process provides information, rules and regulations important to planning your next event. Events play an integral role in building community and creating vibrancy in Palmdale. It can often be confusing as to whether you a need special event contract or a facility use permit, please see more information below.

Please read the information carefully as it is updated periodically and may be different from information you may have received in the past.

View LA County Best Practices for Hosting Large Events

Large Events
Small Events

A large event is defined as an event that:

Has any noise exceeding the City's noise ordinance
Uses any street, sidewalk, or other right-of-way
Needs police or fire regulations, monitoring, and / or control
Occurs for more than one day
Generates a crowd of spectators sufficient in size to obstruct, delay, or interfere with the normal flow of pedestrian, vehicle traffic, or City facilities
Has a greater impact on the park and neighboring community than casual or intended park use
Has parking needs that will exceed the capacity of the venue
Requires external infrastructure to support the event such as:
- Bleachers
- Portable toilets
- Sound
- Stages
- Tents

Festival

A festival is further defined as a special event whose primary purpose is to present multifaceted arts, cultural, or recreation-based experiences. In addition, the event set up and take down normally happen on days other than the actual event day. Festivals typically include elements such as:

Activity demonstrations
Dance
Festival merchandise sales
Food and beverage sales and service
Hands-on activities
Music
Theatrical performances
Visual arts exhibitions

Fundraising Walks & Runs

Fundraising walks and runs are special events whose primary focus is to raise awareness and / or funds for specific social or health issues. They typically desire to maximize the number of participants.