DATE:
June 23, 2026
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Community Services
TITLE: Special Event Permit, Sound
Amplification Permit, and Street Closure
for 11th Annual Oktoberfest
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mountain View: (1) Approving a Special Event Permit and Sound Amplification Permit for the Oktoberfest Special Event, Subject to Conditions; (2) Approving the Closure of Certain Public Streets in the Downtown Area on Saturday, October 10, 202 6, at 2:30 a.m., through Sunday, October 1 1, 2026 , at 10:00 p.m., for the Oktoberfest Special Event Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e); and (3) Delegating Authority to the Community Services Director for Future Oktoberfest Events, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report).
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
In July 2013, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”), in partnership with Steins Beer Garden, was approved to hold the first Oktoberfest in the City in Parking Lot No. 2 through a Special Event application and in accordance with Council Policy K -14, Special Event Policy. In May 2016, the event was again brought to City Council for approval and held at Parking Lot No. 2, with the addition of Bryant Street between Villa Street and Dana Street, and Dana Street between Wild Cherry Lane and Bryant Street. Since 2016, the event has been held at the same location, with pauses in 2020, 2021, and 2022 due to the COVID -19 pandemic. In 2025, the Chamber submitted an application for a new event footprint on the 500 block of Castro Street, which required it to return to the City Council, which granted approval on June 24, 2025.
A Special Event application for the 1 1th Annual Oktoberfest was submitted by the Chamber on February 19, 2026 (see Attachment 2 —Special Event Application). This year, the Chamber is requesting that Oktoberfest include Castro Street, between Mercy Street and Yosemite Avenue, and Church Street, from 40 yards before Franklin Street to 20 yards before Hope Street, to accommodate more vendor booths (see Attachment 3—Traffic Control Plan). The Chamber is also requesting to host the event in portions of Pioneer Park (see Attachment 4—Event Layout).
Special Event Permit, Sound Amplification Permit,
and Street Closure for 11th Annual Oktoberfest
June 23, 2026
Per Council Policy K-14, new and/or first -time special event requests shall be approved by City Council, but re curring similar events can be approved administratively. Due to the changes in location and street closures, the 11th annual Oktoberfest event requires City Council approval of the special event permit, which staff recommends with conditions (Exhibit A to Attachment 1 of this report). If approved, future Oktoberfest events of similar size and scope would not return to Council but would be reviewed and processed administratively by the Community Services Department.
California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) provides that a City may temporarily close all or a portion of any street in its jurisdiction for “celebrations, parades, local special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jur isdiction or a public officer or employee that the local authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.”
The attached Resolution to this report would authorize the closure of Castro Street between Mercy Street and Yosemite Avenue, and Church Street, from 40 yards before Franklin Street to 20 yards before Hope Street as requested by the Chamber, pursuant to the Vehicle Code, and also authorize the Community Services Director to make this finding if future Oktoberfest events have the same proposed street closures and remain similar in size and scope, in accordance with Council Policy K-14.
In addition to approval of the event under Council Policy K -14, the application also states that there will be live entertainment at various times, necessitating a permit pursuant to City Code, Section 3.17(2), subject to conditions (which are included in Exhibit A to Attachment 1 of this report). These conditions align with Council Policy K -14 and are consistent with previous year s’ conditions, with only minor additions for clarification made since the event was last brought before Council for approval in 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of City services for Police, Fire, Streets, and Community Services support for the 2026 Oktoberfest event, including a five percent (5%) administrative fee, is $35,700. These costs will be fully reimbursed by the applicant. Approval of the recommended actions will have no net fiscal impact on City funds.
LEVINE ACT
California Government Code Section 84308 (also known as the Levine Act) prohibits city officials from participating in any proceeding involving a “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” if Special Event Permit, Sound Amplification Permit,
and Street Closure for 11th Annual Oktoberfest
June 23, 2026
the official has received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant within the last 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to- play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
Please see below for information about whether the recommended action for this agenda item is subject to or exempt from the Levine Act.
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
☒ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not approve the special event permit, sound amplification permit, and closure of Castro Street between Mercy Street and Yosemite Avenue, and Church Street, from 40 yards before Franklin Street to 20 yards before Hope Street for the Oktoberfest special event on October 10, 2026 – October 11, 2026.
2. Approve the special event footprint from 2025.
3. Provide other direction.
PUBLIC NOTICING
Agenda posting and notice will be delivered by hand or mail to all affected businesses and residents (Attachment 5).
Prepared by:
Michele Petersen
Recreation Supervisor
Colin James
Recreation Manager
Approved by:
Audrey D. Seymour
Assistant City Manager
Attachments: 1. Resolution
2. Special Event Application
3. Traffic Control Plan
4. Event Layout
5. Public Noticing Letter