Community Services Department │499 E. Arrow Highway Pomona, CA 91767 │909-620-2321 │[email protected] Dear Applicant:
Thank you for considering the City of Pomona for your special event! The Community Services Department strives to provide excellent customer service and make the permitting process as smooth and efficient as possible. Special events make a positive contribution to Pomona by building community and enhancing the lives of residents through diversity, culture, education, and fun. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of participants and residents, it is essential to adhere to the special event policies and procedures.
Please submit a complete and detailed application regarding your event, along with any required documentation. Please note that failure to provide all of the required plans and information will result in time delays in the processing of your application or event. Submission of an application does not guarantee space availability or approval.
Special event applications must be received at least 45 days prior to your proposed event date. If your proposed event includes multiple days, alcohol sales, street closure(s), and/or high-anticipated attendance, your application must be received six months in advance. However, we encourage you to submit your application up to 365 days in advance. Please note that staff do not have the authority to waive any fees or requirements.
Thank you for your cooperation in promoting safe and successful special events in our City. We look forward to working with you!
Thank you,
Roberto Curiel
Recreation Supervisor
909-620-2301
City of Pomona
Special Event Policy and Procedures
Attachment No. 2
City of Pomona Special Event Policy
Special events play a valuable role in
enhancing the cultural and social wellbeing of
a community by encouraging people to come
together to celebrate, share experiences, and
fostering a sense of unity and belonging.
Special event permits are granted for events
that are free to the public to attend . If your
event is on private property, it may require a
Temporary Use Permit. Please contact the
Planning Department at 909-620-2191.
Any individual or organization applyi ng to host
a special event is prohibited from charging
vendors for participation. A pplicants may not
sublease any part of their allocated space to
other parties.
The purp ose of this policy is to improve
communication, coordination, and safety of
proposed special events occurring on City -
owned properties within Pomona city limits.
This policy applies to individuals, organizations,
and entities planning to host a special event at
a City park, public right of way, etc.
Definitions:
Special Event – Any public exhibition or public
gathering, including, but not limited to
processions, parades, performances, concerts,
run/walks, and lectures.
City Event - Events that are created, planned,
and implemented by City Departments.
City Special Event – Funding for a City
event is approved annually during the
budgeting process. Examples are the
City’s annual Egg Hunt, Haunted House,
and Holiday at the Plaza.
Non City Events - Events that are created,
planned, and implemented by individuals or
organizations other than City Departments.
Examples include:
Collaborative/Partnership – Support for
events may include in-kind services from
City staff based on regular staff hours
and funds approved in the City’s annual
budget.
City Sponsored - Events that City Council
has supported financially through a
Finding of Public Benefit (FOPB) during a
regular City Council meeting. An FOPB is
the official process by which Mayor and
City Council can consider donating City
Council discretionary funds toward
supporting community events and
activities that are found to be a benefit
to Pomona residents. For additional
information, please visit the City website
or contact the Administration
Department at 909-620-2042.
All Other Events - The City does not
provide services or financial support.
Event Approval:
All special events are permitted through the
Community Services Department. Completed
applications are reviewed and approved by a
City Special Events Committee , which includes
staff from various City Departments.
Applications for event approval must be
submitted at least 45 days in advance. If your
proposed event includes multiple days, alcohol
sales, street closure(s), and/or high-anticipated
attendance, your application must be received
six months in advance. Applications may be
submitted up to 365 days in advance.
Approval for events are based on various
factors, including but not limited to: public
safety, impact on traffic, potential disruption to
residents and businesses , space availability,
existing programs, construction, permitted
events, City Code, as well as availability of
resources.
Additional Permitting:
1. Some events may require additional permits.
Event organizers are responsible for
obtaining all necessary permits and licenses
required for the event, including but not
limited to: permits for street closures, food
and beverages, alcohol sales, merchants,
City of Pomona business license, and
temporary structures.
2. Any event that will distributing food or
beverages will be required to obtain and
submit an event organizer permit to the City,
unless it is not required by Los Angeles
County Public Health. It is the responsibility of
the applicant to ensure all food vendors are
listed on their event organizers/health
permit.
3. Permits must be valid for the specific event,
date, time, and location.
4. A City of Pomona business license must be
obtained and submitted for
merchants/vendors.
5. Permits must be submitted at least 14 days
prior to the City-approved event date.
6. All permits must be prominently displayed
during the event and be made available
upon request.
Safety and Security:
1. All community events shall have a safety
and evacuation plan.
2. Larger events will be required to develop,
submit, and implement a comprehensive
safety plan, including but not limited to :
crowd control measures, emergency
evacuation procedures, and medical
services. These plans must be approved by
Fire, Police, and Risk Departments.
3. Security personnel may be required
depending on t he size and nature of the
event at the discretion of the City.
4. Events must be i n c ompliance with all
applicable health and safety regulations.
5. Some events may require a site walkthrough
prior to permitting an event.
6. All events are subject to inspections by fire,
county or other local authority.
7. Event organizers must report safety hazards
to the City.
Noise and Environmental Impact:
1. Minimize any adverse environmental
impact, such as littering and damage to
public property. Space must be returned to
its original condition.
2. Events must comply with the City Noise
Ordinance Article VII of Pomona City Code
1959 Sec. 18-302 and sound levels should be
monitored to prevent disturbance to nearby
residents and businesses.
3. Applicants must comply with SB 1383 rules
and regulations.
Accessibility:
1. Event organizers must ensure that the event
is accessible to individuals with disabilities,
including providing appropriate
accommodations i.e. A mericans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) ac cessible restroom
facilities/portable restrooms.
2. The event cannot impede an existing path
of travel for ADA accessibility.
3. We encourage s ignage and
communication materials be available in
multiple languages as necessary.
Insurance:
1. Event organizers are required to obtain and
submit current liability insurance coverage
for the event , including an endorsement
naming the City as an additional insured.
2. Insurance should cover the event in its
entirety.
3. The insurance coverage will be reviewed by
the Risk Department.
4. Event insurance must be in the name of the
event organizer and the organization.
5. The event organizer will be permitted for the
event and the insurance must bear the
same name.
6. Event insurance may be purchased through
the City.
7. Additional insurance may be required
based on the type of event activities:
automobile, workers comp, sexual abuse
molestation (SAM), waiver of subrogation.
8. Insurance carrier must have at least an A-
rating.
9. Applicant must provide proof of insurance
to the City of Pomona a minimum of 14 days
prior to the event date for event approval.
Special Event Application Procedure
Applications can be found on the City website
or at Palomares Park Community Center
Business Office located at 499 E. Arrow,
Pomona, CA 91767 Monday – Thursday from
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Complete the C ity of Pomona Special Events
Permit Application Form, providing detailed
information ab out the event, including date,
time, location, estimated attendance,
proposed activities, plot plan /aerial site map ,
and any special requirements.
Submit the application along with any required
documents at Palomares Park Community
Center Business Office o r by e -mail at
[email protected].
Review and Approval:
1. The City Special Event Committee, made up
of staff from various City Departments,
including Pomona Police Department,
Public Works, and Risk will review your
application. Other agencies will be brought
in for review as necessary e.g. LA County Fire
Department.
2. The City Special Events Committee will
review the application and may request
additional information or modifications to
the event plan.
3. Once approved, the event organizer will
receive written confirmation and any
conditions or requirements for the event.
Permitting Process:
1. Obtain all necessary permits and licenses
from the appropriate City departments and
agencies e.g. Los Angeles County Public
Health adhering to their respective
application procedures and deadlines.
Event Implementation:
1. Execute the event according to the
approved plan, complying with all
conditions, regulations, and permit
requirements.
2. Ensure proper coordination with C ity
departments, emergency services, and
other relevant st akeholders throughout the
event, as required.
Post-Event Evaluation:
1. The City may request a debriefing meeting
to evaluate the success of the event,
identify any issues or challenges
encountered, and gather fe edback for
future improvements.
2. Applicants may be asked to s ubmit a post -
event report to the City Special Events
Committee, including attendance figures or
any incidents or complaints received.
Compliance:
Event organizers, participants, vendors, and
volunteers are expected to adhere to this policy
and cooperate with City officials to ensure the
successful and safe execution of special events
within the City.
Enforcement:
Non-compliance with this policy and/or
permitting requirements may result in the
revocation of your permit and/or immediate
closure of your special event, and/or the denial
of future event permits, as well as fines, or other
penalties.
Revision and Review:
This policy shall be reviewed periodically and
updated as necessary to reflect changes in
regulations, best practices, and community
needs.
Contact Information:
For inquiries regarding special events permits
and procedures, please contact the Palomares
Park Community Center Business Office at 909-
620-2301.
Additional Permits and Requirements
Event Activity Type of Permit Permit Description. Permitting Agency/Dept. Contact Information
Serving food
and/or beverages
Temporary Food
Facility
A Temporary Health Permit is required any time
food or beverages will be served, sold, free, pre-
packaged, or prepared onsite. Obtaining a health
permit in Los Angeles County involves several
steps to ensure compliance with local health
regulations.
Los Angeles County
Health
www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh
626-430-5320
Serving alcohol Temporary alcohol
permit
Obtaining an alcohol license for a special event in
Los Angeles County typically involves securing a
temporary alcohol permit from the California
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
The Pomona Police officers and/or additional
security may be required. A copy of the ABC
permit must be provided to the Community
Services Department and the Pomona Police
Department. Liquor Liability Insurance must also
be provided.
Department of
Alcoholic Beverage
Control
Information Concerning
Temporary Permits | Alcoholic
Beverage Control (ca.gov)
Vendors/Merchant
Booths
City of Pomona
Business license
A City of Pomona business license is an official
permit issued by the City of Pomona that
authorizes individuals or companies to conduct
business within the city limits. Obtaining a
business license is a legal requirement for all
businesses operating in Pomona, ensuring that
they comply with local regulations, zoning laws,
and other municipal codes.
City of Pomona Welcome (hdlgov.com)
Business License Counter
City Hall
505 S. Garey Ave.
Pomona, CA 91766
909-620-2343
Street Closure(s) Traffic Control Plan Implementation of a professional Traffic Control Plan (TCP) drafted by a certified traffic engineer.
Plans must have a wet signature and seal, signed
by the engineer. All TCPs will be reviewed by
Public Works Engineering and may incur plan
check review fees. Barricades must be placed at
each intersection of the street closure and must
City of Pomona
Engineering Division
or Pomona Police
Department
909-620-2261
be staffed by the applicant at all times in the
event of an emergency. Barricades must be
removed immediately upon conclusion of the
event or completion of clean up.
Implementation must be completed by a
person(s) with a C-31.
Parking in
Downtown
Pomona
Vehicle Parking
District Parking
Permit
The Vehicle Park District reserves the right to use
the permitted premises from time to time for City
of Pomona authorized special events. Notice of
said use shall be posted 72 hours prior to the
events. All active parking permit holders affected
by the event may park in any open operating VPD
parking lot currently available for permit parking.
Vehicle District
Parking Commission
Vehicle Parking District (VPD) |
Pomona, CA (pomonaca.gov)
909-620-3782 or
909-620-2410
Finding of Public
Benefit
Submit a request to City Council at least 30 days
prior to event. Keep in mind that if your request is
approved by the Council, the full amount
requested is not guaranteed as donations are
made per each Councilmember’s discretion. If any
City services will be used as part of your event,
any donated funds will be used to cover those
expenses first.
City Administration Finding of Public Benefit Donations | Pomona, CA (pomonaca.gov)