Common Types of Permits Required for Special Events
There are a number of different special event related permits that may be issued independent of a Citywide Special Event Permit. Temecula’s Event Resource Guide is another tool, which helps the event industry comply with Federal, State, and Local Regulations. Following is a summary of the most common types of permits you may be required to obtain if you are planning a special event or an activity associated with a special event:
1) Temporary Use Permit
A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) applies to the use of private property and can allow certain uses, for limited time periods, in locations where the uses would not otherwise be allowed in the applicable zone. A Temporary Use Permit may be issued for the following uses:
- Temporary telecommunication facilities intended to provide service to citywide public events
- Temporary public assembly and entertainment uses
- Retail sales related to seasonal activities, such as holidays
At the sole discretion of the City of Temecula, events proposed to take place on private property that meet the qualifications for a TUP may be required to apply for a Citywide Special Event Permit due to the location, complexity, or other unique circumstances related to the event. For more information or questions please refer to the Temporary Use Permit section of Temecula’s Event Resource Guide.
2) Food Permits
If you intend to sell, serve, give away, or sample food or consumable products, including water or other beverages, at a public event, you must obtain a Temporary Food Facility Sponsor Permit. Additionally, each food vendor at your event must also have a Temporary Food Facility Vendor Permit. Different permits, policies, and procedures depend on your classification and the number of days of your event. As part of the food handling requirements, you are required to include public safety features in your event plans such as hand-washing sinks. The County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health issues food permits. You can obtain more information and the find the permit application in the Guidelines for Food Handling at Outdoor Special Events section of Temecula’s Event Resource Guide.
3) Alcohol Use Permit
If you plan to have alcohol at your event, you must receive authorization from the Temecula Police Department and the State of California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. Temecula Police Department authorization is typically granted through the Citywide Process. If the proposed event will take place on public park land; within a city-owned facility; or other city-managed property, you will also be required to provide a letter of authorization to serve alcohol from an authorized representative of the managing city department. Both the Police Department and managing city department may place restrictions on the way in which alcohol is managed at your proposed event.
In addition to authorization from the City of Temecula to provide alcohol at your event, it is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate license from the State of California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. Additional information about Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and permit requirements can be found in Temecula’s Event Resource Guide under Special Event Liquor Vendors, as well as a sample daily license application/authorization form from the ABC Dept.
http://www.abc.ca.gov/
4) Public Assembly Permit
All public assemblies of more than 49 people in buildings or areas that are not regularly classified for use as public assembly sites must be reviewed and approved by the Riverside Fire-Rescue Department in compliance with the International Fire Code as amended by the State of California and City of Temecula. Examples include barricaded streets and other defined venues, fenced beer gardens, concerts, tent events, trade shows, or use of a warehouse or other building not classified for public assembly for a special event venue.
As part of the permit requirements, onsite stand-by and inspection services may be required due to the size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding the activities associated with the proposed event. For more information or questions please call the Fire Inspection Line @ 951-308-6363. You will need to have your permit number available along with the project name, address, what type of inspection is needed and a contact name and phone number.
5) Tents or Canopy Structure Permits
All tent and membrane structures having an area in excess of 200 square feet and all canopies in excess of 400 square feet must be approved and reviewed by the Riverside Fire-Rescue Department in compliance with the International Fire Code as amended by the State of California and City of Temecula. In many instances it is necessary to issue a Tent, Canopy and Membrane Structure Permit in conjunction with a Public Assembly Permit in which case the review process is combined; however, the individual permit fees are applicable to each permit type.
As part of the permit requirements, onsite stand-by and inspection services may be required due to the size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding the activities associated with the proposed event.
6) Building Permit
If your event includes the introduction of portable structures, pre-fabricated structures or site-built structures such as bleachers, elevated platforms, temporary pedestrian bridges, tent structures, etc. you will be required to obtain a building permit from the City of Temecula Development Services Department. The Building and Safety Counter is located at 41000 Main Street Temecula, CA, within the Permit Center on the 1st Floor (951) 694-6444.
7) Electrical Permit
If your event includes provisions to supply electrical power via electric generators, or by connecting to existing permanent electrical systems, you may be required to obtain an electrical permit from the Development Services Department. An electrical permit is required for electric power generating equipment of 50 KVA (KW) and larger. In some cases, electrical distribution plans and load calculations prepared by a California licensed Electrical Contractor or Electrical Engineer may be required. Electrical inspection is required on or before the event date and time. This type of permit review may take an extended amount of time to process and an inspector may not be immediately available, therefore, please plan accordingly. For more information see Temecula’s Event Resource Guide under Electrical, Power Supplies & Lighting.
8) Fireworks/Special Effects/Laser Permits
All activities associated with the use of pyrotechnics and open flames must be reviewed and approved by the Riverside Fire-Rescue Department in compliance with the International Fire Code as amended by the State of California and City of Temecula. Examples of activities in this category include outdoor fireworks, lasers, model rocket launches, open flame activities such as fire walking and special effects using pyrotechnical devices. Due in part to new regulations for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 2011, many events may need a lower-level CEQA analysis, or an Air Quality Management District permit. See California Government Policy Acts & Reports for detailed information regarding fireworks.