SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS

Santa Clara County Health Officer - Mandatory Directive for Gatherings

Issued on: July 14, 2020

Revised: January 27, 2021

---IMPORTANT NOTICE---

General State Gatherings Rules:

As of January 25th, 2021, the State's Regional Stay at Home Order is no longer in effect in Santa Clara County. 

The State Health Officer has generally prohibited gatherings of all kinds statewide, with limited exceptions for worship services, cultural ceremonies like wedding and funerals, protest or political activities, and any gathering that is explicitly allowed by a State COVID-19 Industry Guidance document (http://covid19.ca/gov/industry-guidance/) or by the State's "Stay home Q&A" page (https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/). The State also allows private gatherings consisting of no more than three households pursuant to the State's rules, but such gatherings must be outdoors while the County is in the Purple Tier.

All gatherings are subject to the mandatory requirements in this Directive and any other applicable County Health Officer Directive, the County Health Officer's Revised Risk Reduction Order issued on October 5, 2020, the applicable restrictions under the State Order and Blueprint, the State's COVID-19 Industry Guidance documents, and any applicable health and safety regulations.

Current State Rules for Indoor Gatherings:

Because Santa Clara County is in the Purple Tier, which is the most restrictive tier under the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, all indoor gatherings are currently prohibited. This means that no indoor gatherings are allowed of any kind (including but not limited to worship services, movie theaters, and cultural ceremonies).

For additional details regarding gathering's and/or large events please visit the Santa Clara County Public Health website:  www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/mandatory-directives-gatherings.aspx 

A special event is required if any of the following conditions meet the requirements:

  • Large Scale Meeting
  • Concert
  • Live music
  • Assembly
  • Fundraiser
  • Blocking of Streets
  • Parade or Procession
  • Use of sound amplifying system of any kind or any other similar display 

For additional details and or examples to determine if your event requires a Special Event Permit, refer to the Special Events and Block Party Brochure in the Resources column.

A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT needs to be applied for at least 30 days prior to the event date. 

SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT PROCESS:

  1. Obtain a Special Event Permit Application.
  2. If renting a City Park, call the Recreation Department (408) 846-0460, Park Rentals first and process a reservation.
  3. Complete the Special Event Permit Application Form. Complete pages 1 and 2, sign page 4 and 5 if applicable, and attach a site plan. Include a traffic control plan and neighborhood notification plan if blocking streets. If you are using any Public Property a Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Gilroy as also insured, including an Endorsement page, must be provided.
  4. Turn in the form 30 days prior to the event date. The completed application can be emailed to Christina.Ruiz@cityofgilroy.org
  5. If there is additional information requested or the application was found incomplete you will be contacted via email and asked to make the application complete. If the application was approved you will be emailed or contacted to pay any fees and/or provide any additional documents such as a Temporary Health Permit, ABC License, Business License, etc.
  6. For final processing, pay any fees due to the Finance Department. Form of payment by credit card, please call the Finance Department at 408-846-0420 or by check mailed to: Attn: Business Licensing/Special Events Permits, City of Gilroy, 7351 Rosanna St, Gilroy CA 95020. You will then receive an emailed copy of your Final Special Event Permit.
ANY PUBLIC event that sells or distributes food shall follow the County Department of Health Food Safety Requirements and obtain permits from them as required. Call County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health at 408-918-3400 for temporary event food permitting information.