Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 1 of 8
I. BACKGROUND
The City of Chula Vista is committed to providing and contributing to the success of special events that promote Chula Vista and attract residents and visitors. It is the City of Chula Vista’s intent to further promote events that contribute to community engagement, economic vitality, cultural expression, and civic pride.
Establishing this policy informs staff, event organizers, elected officials, and the public regarding how and why the City participates in special events, and ensures that City resources are allocated consistently, transparently, and in a manner that reflects City Council priorities.
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish a consistent framework for the City of Chula Vista's involvement in special events held within, and in limited circumstances outside, the City. It defines categories of City involvement, establishes approva l authority and funding parameters for each category, and provides direction on the use of the City’s resources, name, and logo in connection with special events.
This policy is intended to improve consistency, transparency, resource planning, risk management, and alignment with City Council priorities across the full range of events the City supports, hosts, or recognizes.
This policy demonstrates the Council’s commitment to conducting and supporting activities that enhance and celebrate our vibrant community and provides guidance for staff and event planners as to the process for collaborating with the City on special events.
III. POLICY
Event Categories
Special events in which the City provides funding, staff resources, use of the City name or logo, formal recognition, or a permit shall be classified into one of the following eight categories. Category assignment Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 2 of 8
determines the applicable approval authority, funding parameters, and permissible use of the City name and logo. A list of reoccurring Signature and Civic events can be found in Attachment 1 of this policy.
City funding may be supplemented by donations.
Signature - City-owned, City-produced flagship events funded primarily through City controlled funds to highlight Chula Vista’s cultural identity and community engagement priorities. Requires City Council designation by majority vote or 4/5 vote if new appropriatio ns are required (per the standard budget amendment process).
Civic - City-led or coordinated events funded primarily through City controlled funds to support civic functions, public recognition, or intergovernmental partnerships. Department - Events produced independently by City departments, through the City Manager’s Office, to support departmental missions or programs. Departments plan, staff, fund, and brand these events using approved logos.
Partnered - Events collaboratively planned, funded, and del ivered by the City and one or more external organizations through a shared commitment of resources, responsibilities, and decision - making. Partnered Events advance a mutually beneficial public purpose that aligns with the City’s strategic priorities and the partner organization’s mission. Sponsored - Externally produced events that provide community benefit and may receive up to $10,000 in City financial support at the discretion of the City Manager. Support in excess of $10,000 may be authorized at the dis cretion of the City Council. The City does not manage operations or planning.
Supported - Externally produced events that may receive limited in-kind City services or logistical assistance, based on staff availability and City resource capacity. Endorsed Events - Externally produced and funded events that receive formal City recognition only—no financial, staff, or operational support. May receive proclamations or letters of support. Permitted - Events requiring a City-issued permit to occur on public property or within the public right of way. Receiving a permit does not constitute sponsorship or support. Event organizers are responsible for compliance with codes, safety requirements, insurance, and operations.
Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 3 of 8
General Provisions
Use of City Name or Logo - All use of the City name and logo in connection with a special event is subject to Council Policy 100-01, City Identification Program: Use of Seal and Logo, including the requirement that the Logo not be altered and that all proposed uses receive prior approval from the City Manager or their designee before printing/dissemination. Events Outside City Limits - Partnered, Sponsored, Supported, and Endorsed Events, as defined above, may take place outside the geographic boundaries of the City of Chula Vista, provided the event otherwise meets the applicable category criteria and public purpose requirement of this policy.
Public Purpose Requirement - Consistent with California law, City funds, staff time, and resources may be committed to a special event under this policy only where a valid public purpose exists. A valid public purpose exists where the expenditure serves a direct, legitimate public purpose such as informing residents, promoting civic engagement, or supporting economic development.
Donations and Behested Payments - Council Policy 270 -01, Donations to the City, does not apply to donations and contributions solicited or accepted under this policy. City staff may directly solicit donations and contributions. Solicitation of a donation or contribution by an elected official is not encouraged, however, an elected official may solicit a donation or contribution for an event under this policy, provided that a FPPC Behested Payment Report Form is completed, as required by law, and submitted to the Finance Department at the same time they turn in the donated funds to be deposited. Submission of a Behested Payment Report Form to the Finance Department does not replace disclosure or reporting obligations that may otherwise apply under state law. Insurance and Risk Management - For each event under this policy, the City Manager's Office, in consultation with the City's risk management office, shall evaluate whether additional insurance, indemnification, or other risk mitigation measures are required based on the nature, scale, location, and activities of the event.
Signature Events
Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 4 of 8
A request to have the City designate an event as Signature event must undergo review to determine its relevance and appropriateness to the City’s special event purpose. The City Council will review the merits of the requested Signature Event to determine whether the event fits the overall conditions of a signature event. The City reserves the right to reject or condition its involvement at its sole discretion, subject to applicable local, state and federal laws.
By majority vote, the City Council may add Signa ture events that are brought forth by a City Councilmember. In addition, to be considered , a request should be made at least six months prior to the actual date of the event. Signature events are major public events that attract large numbers of visitors and community participants and generate significant, documented levels of financial and/or promotional return to the City.
Budget for Signature Events
The City Manager’s proposed budget shall provide a recommended level of funding for special events based on the criteria noted above. These funds will be used to primarily underwrite signature events for the upcoming fiscal year. Event expenses and donations will b e accounted for by event in the City’s financial system.
Roles and Responsibilities
City Council - Designates Signature Events; approves Sponsored Event funding in excess of $10,000; and appropriate funds.
The City Manager or designee - Responsible for overall City special event coordination, staff support and the budget management; administers this policy; maintains operational control of all Signature and Civic events; classifies events into the appropriate category; approves Department, Partnered, Sponsored (up to $10,000), Endorsed Supported and Permitted Events consistent with this policy; approves use of the City name or logo consistent with Council Policy 100-01.
Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 5 of 8
The City Manager may contract with outside professional event coordinators to provide planning and logistics support. The cost of the outside professional events coordinator shall be included in the budget for each event. If the outside events coordinator is under City contract, they will be retained and managed by the City Manager or their designee.
Sponsoring or Requesting Department - At least three months prior to the event, will be responsible for developing a budget, creating a detailed logistical plan, and coordinating with the City Manager's Office and Offic e of Communications for preapproval o f communications plans , branding and category classification.
Event Organizer (external) – Under the direction of the City Manager, or designee, the event organizer will be r esponsible for compliance with all applicable codes, safety requirements, and insurance requirements, and for operational management of the event, except where the City has assumed operational responsibility under the Signature, Civic, Department, or Partnered Event categories.
Partnered, Supported and Endorsed Events
A request to have the City partner, support or endorse an event must undergo review to determine its relevance and appropriateness to the City’s special events purpose. The City will review the merits of the requested endorsement, keeping in mind the criteria listed above, to determine whether the event fits the overall conditions of a partnered, supported or endorsed event. The City reserves the right to reject or condition its involvement at its sole discretion, subject to applicable local, state and federal laws.
At their discretion the City Manager or their designee may partner, support, or endorse a special events that fall into one of the following categories:
Sponsored by governmental, educational and community service institutions. Sponsored by organizations that support the City of Chula Vista’s operations (such as the Friends of the Library, Fire Fighters Foundation, Friends of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation, Police Activity League).
Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 6 of 8
Related to a n on-profit that benefits those that live, work or play in Chula Vista .In addition, to be considered by the City, an event applicant should request partnership, sponsorship or endorsement at least three months prior to the actual date of the event. If an event does not fit into one of the above event categories, the event can be proposed for consideration by the City Council. A majority of the City Council must vote to “Partner”, “Support” or “Endorse” a special event.
HISTORY
DATE ACTION RESOLUTION NO.
05/05/2015 Adoption 2015-099
Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 7 of 8
ATTACHMENT 1
LIST OF REOCCURING SIGNATURE
EVENTS
MONTH NAME OF EVENT
April South Bay Earth Day
July Fourth Fest
August HarborFest
September ArtFest
September El Grito
December Starlight Parade & Festival
LIST OF REOCCURING CIVIC EVENTS
MONTH NAME OF EVENT
January Human Relations Commission Awards Ceremony
February Black History Month Flag Raising
March Women’s History Month
Spring State of the City
April Arab American Heritage Month
May AAPI Heritage Month
May Jewish American Heritage Month
June Juneteenth Flag Raising
June Pride Month Flag Raising
Summer Annual Boards & Commissions Recognition Event
September Hispanic Heritage Month
October Disability Awareness Month
October Filipino American History Month & Flag Raising
October Indigenous Peoples Day Flag Raising
November Native American Heritage Month
Item 8.3 – Attachment 3
Revised 08/11/2026
CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
POLICY NAME:
City of Chula Vista Special Events Policy POLICY NUMBER: 102-07
Effective Date: 05/05/2015 Last Revised Date: N/A Status: Active Page: 8 of 8
November Veterans Day