PLANNING A SPECIAL EVENT
Carlsbad is fortunate to have a diverse array of events that contribute to the spirit and vitality of our city. If you have additional questions about the Office of Special Events or a specific event, please contact us by email at Contact Us, or by phone at (760) 931-2297, or by U.S. mail at Carlsbad Police Department, 2560 Orion Way Carlsbad CA 92010. Special Event Permit Application/When is a permit requiredWould you like to host a special event in the City of Carlsbad? Getting the Special Event Permit Application is easy! Simply download it here Special Event Permit Application. The current fee is set at $100 for a minor event and $300 for a major event. The City Council has adopted the following ordinance to define and establish special events and their components. For more information, click Chapter 8.17 Special Events. Planning your Special Event in CarlsbadAs you begin to plan your event, it is important to recognize each of these events serves a unique role in forming the intricate fabric of our community and the quality of your special event can make a difference to Carlsbad. Community festivals add to the spirit of our neighborhoods and provide an opportunity for residents, local artisans, performers, merchants, and city employees to interact with one another. Athletic and cultural events provide marketing opportunities and bring new patrons to businesses. Events of national and international stature create a positive economic impact, instill civic pride, and serve as long-term economic development tools for our city. Have An Idea? Give Us a Call Before You Commit To a PlanContact the Office of Special Events at (760) 931-2297 to coordinate a preliminary discussion about your special event. If you are planning a first-time event, or simply making a venue or programmatic change to an annual event, give us a call before you complete your event plans. City staff members have valuable experience with hundreds of events and want to see your event succeed. Whether you are wondering about availability of a venue or seeking technical assistance with traffic and safety planning, a preliminary conversation with city staff may help you save valuable time and provide you with initial guidance in the development of your special event. To see current special event schedule click Community Calendar. Consider How Your Event Plans Work With the CommunityAs you begin the preliminary plans for your event, think carefully about the impacts and benefits the event brings to a community:
Neighborhoods and Business ImpactSpecial events can add to the character, vibrancy and economic synergy of a neighborhood. Events can also affect a community if the event organizer is not sensitive to the issues and needs of a neighborhood; therefore, it is vital you meet with the entities, agencies, and organizations that may be impacted by your event. Residents, businesses, churches, and schools may be affected by noise and street closures related to your event. Meet with representatives so you can jointly develop mitigation strategies that address their concerns. Submit Your Special Event Permit Application After you have carefully developed your special event plan, submit your proposed event description and plan to the City of Carlsbad in the form of a Special Event Permit Application at least 90 days and not more than two years prior to the event date. Include any letters of support or endorsement for your event you have received from community groups or entities affected by your event. Please be aware failure to gain the written support of recognized community groups might result in a denial of your permit application. Once you have submitted your Special Event Permit Application, a representative will contact you. This person will review your permit application and notify you if your event requires additional information, permits, licenses, certificates, or community involvement. Your city liaison will also distribute copies of your application to all city departments affected by your event. These departments may contact you individually if they have specific questions or concerns about your event or if they require additional documentation. Other considerations:
The Special Event Permit must list a point of contact person who will be on-scene at the event to coordinate with the designated City Staff liaison. Problems brought to the attention of the City personnel will be brought to the contact person for resolution. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Special Event Permit may result in the issuance of citations to the sponsor and/or the participant and restrictions on future events. Planning for Alcohol Use at Your Special Event As an event organizer, you are responsible for ensuring your event is not only fun but also safe for all those who attend and for the community. The following information is designed to assist you in the permitting process should you decide to provide alcohol at your event. When Do I Need A Permit To Sell Alcohol At An Event?If you are planning to provide alcoholic beverages at your event, you will need to apply for and receive licensing from the State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). ABC provides special daily licenses to nonprofit community organizations that plan to sell or serve beer or wine at special events. Commercial operations and caterers are subject to different permit requirements and should consult the State ABC. For more information, visit State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) or call the local ABC office at (760) 471-4237. You should apply for your State ABC license after you have submitted your Special Event Permit Application to the City of Carlsbad. The City of Carlsbad Police Department and State ABC will jointly review your event plans and alcohol management strategy before your organization receives permitting from the City of Carlsbad and State of California ABC. Special Daily LicenseIf your nonprofit community organization is planning to sell or serve beer or wine at an event, you must obtain a Special Daily License from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). This license authorizes the temporary sale or serving of beer or wine for consumption on the premises indicated on the license. Sale for consumption off the premises is strictly prohibited. A separate fee is charged for each license. Your local distributor cannot sell you beer or wine unless you can show proof of insurance of a Special Daily License from the ABC. You must provide the distributor with a copy of the actual license, which shows the license number, date of issuance, location of event, etc. Sanitation and RecyclingAs an event organizer, you must properly dispose of waste and garbage throughout the term of your event and upon conclusion of the event. The area must be returned to a clean condition. Should you fail to perform adequate cleanup or damage occurs to City property and facilities due to your event, you will be billed at full cost recovery rates plus overhead for cleanup and repair. In addition, such failure may result in denial of future approval for a Special Event Permit. You may also be required to provide a cash deposit or surety bond for future events. The City is committed to recycling. To make recycling a success, everyone must participate. You can help by planning recycling strategies for the waste generated at your event. For more information or assistance, please contact Coast Waste Management at (760) 929-9400. Storm Water ProtectionThe City has a storm drain system designed to move rainwater from the streets to creeks, lagoons, and the ocean in order to prevent flooding. Any materials left on streets and sidewalks can reach the storm drain system. Local and State regulations prohibit the discharge of wash water, cleaning water, trash, and debris to the storm drain system. Please contact the City's Storm Water Protection Program for specific information at (760) 438-2722. Have A Safe Event!A well-planned event should translate to a well-attended and enjoyable activity that benefits both the community and sponsoring organization. Enjoy the event, celebrate its success, and plan to meet with the community and city representatives soon after completion to develop plans for the next year's event! |
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The City of Carlsbad is proud to host a multitude of events each year, from major invitational sporting events to community-based festivals. The Traffic Division of the Police Department oversees the Office of Special Events. The primary function of the office is to provide permits for events on public property. Through our process, an organizer can work with the City to plan all aspects of their event. Typical events include runs, walks, triathlons, festivals, and parades.