Special Event Permits

For park or city-owned facility rentals, click here, or contact the Recreation Division by email, (408) 846-0460, or in-person, Gilroy Senior Center Recreation Office, 7371 Hanna Street. 

For Gilroy Unified School District-owned facilities (gyms, football fields, tennis courts, etc.), click here.

For all other public or private events, contact the Administration Department, Economic Development Manager: 408-846-0207, or Victoria.valencia@cityofgilroy.org.

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

  • Use of any street, alley, park, or any other public or private grounds in the City 
  • Assembly
  • Block Party
  • Blocking of Streets
  • Concert
  • Large Scale Meeting or Fundraiser
  • Live Music
  • Car Shows
  • Outdoor Festival
  • Parade or Procession
  • Outdoor gathering with use of sound amplifying system of any kind or any other similar display
  • Outdoor public events with singing, dancing, DJ, Choir, etc
  • Meetings or assemblies in places of business occurring where not otherwise permitted

A special event permit is not required for the following:

  • Funeral processions.
  • Meetings or assemblies in residentially zoned areas.
  • Garage Sales: garage sale permit needed. Click here
  • Sound-amplifying systems used on private property where the sound produced does not carry beyond the property line so as to disturb persons on adjoining property.
  • Radios and other sound-amplifying systems, wherever used, when the volume does not exceed the volume of normal conversational speech.

To apply for a special event permit:

  1. Submit a completed SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT Application 
    • Block parties and neighborhood events require a minimum of 30 days to review and process. 
    • Events occurring in Downtown Gilroy and other commercially zoned areas require a minimum of 90 days to review and process. If this is a first time event, please contact Victoria Valencia prior to submitting your application. 408-846-0207, or Victoria.valencia@cityofgilroy.org
  2. City Staff will follow up with applicant and communicate any changes. Additional information may be required based on location, event type, and event size.
    • If there is additional information requested or the application is missing any items, staff will contact you. That includes but not limited to paying any fees and/or provide any additional documents such as a Temporary Health Permit, ABC License, Traffic Control Plan, or Business License.
    • 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 for temporary event food permitting information: (408) 918-3400 or https://cpd.sccgov.org/programs-and-services/temporary-events
    • Any public event that sells or distributes alcohol shall follow the Alcohol Beverage Control requirements and obtain permits as required. Visit License Types | Alcoholic Beverage Control (ca.gov) to determine your license type.

Requirements for all events:

  • A minimum of $1 million in liability insurance with a CG 2026 specific endorsement, naming the City of Gilroy, its officers, representatives, agents, and employees as additional insured. This insurance is required for both publicly accessible and private events on public property (e.g., parks) and in the public right-of-way (e.g., roads). Additional insurance may be required due to the nature and/or size of the event. 
  • On February 27, 2023, an ordinance was adopted by the City Council of the City of Gilroy amending chapter 19B of the Gilroy City Code relating to smoking pollution control to prohibit smoking at public events. The ordinance became effective on March 29, 2023.  The prohibition of smoking at public events includes the boundary of the public event, plus 25 feet from the boundary of the event.  Smoking Pollution Control - Ordinance No. 2023-02