Community Event Fees
ESTIMATE OF EVENT FEES for 2025-2026
(Fees
subject to change)
Event Permittee shall be responsible for all City departmental service charges and fees incurred in connection with this event. Rates quoted below are current on today’s date, but actual costs will reflect rates current at the time of your event. This list may not be all inclusive, additional fees or charges may be required depending on the nature of the event.
APPLICATION FEE
The
application fee, which must be submitted with the application, is between $50.00
and $380.57 depending on the event category and how far in advance
the event application is submitted. The application fee is non-refundable.
For
more information visit: Fees & Rates -
Finance Department - City of Santa Monica (santamonica.gov)
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
The
administrative fee ranges from $121.21 – $1,817.61 and is based on the
complexity of the event and the staff hours required to process the
application. The administrative fee is non-refundable.
For
more information visit: Fees & Rates -
Finance Department - City of Santa Monica (santamonica.gov)
BIG BLUE BUS
Fees will be charged for plan detours, posting/writing or detour signs, Road Supervisor to monitor event, bus stop closure.
Moving Bus Stop: $797.83
For
more information related to fees, please contact the Big Blue Bus office
directly at (310) 451-5444 or visit https://www.bigbluebus.com/
BUILDING AND SAFETY
Single Trade Permit (may be required): $430.46 Includes inspection during regular hours 8am – 4pm
After-hours inspection (depends on complexity of event): $631.86 for 2-hr increment; $1,263.72 for 4-hr increment
Plan check review: $315.93 per hour
Other miscellaneous Building and Safety fees may apply. For more information visit: Fees & Rates - Finance Department - City of Santa Monica (santamonica.gov)
BUSINESS LICENSE
Supply
and Service providers (i.e., caterers, valet services, event rentals) are
required to obtain a Santa Monica business license. Approved participants
including retail vendors and exhibitors at permitted events are exempt from
having to obtain a Santa Monica business license.
Event
planners and promoters of any recreation, entertainment, cultural and
educational events and exhibitions which are conducted for limited periods of
time are required to obtain a business license as an Event Planner.
For
information related to the business license process, please contact the
Business License office at 310-458-8745 or visit Business License (santamonica.gov
- Business License and Regulatory Permits)
COMMUNITY RECREATION DIVISION EVENT MONITOR
Depending on the event complexity and expected attendance, some Category 1 events may require an Event Monitor to be paid by the event organizer. Event Monitor pricing is dependent upon staff availability.
FIRE
Administrative
costs for Fire personnel are actual costs per hour.
Tent/Canopy Permit (depending on size of tent/canopy): $162.71 to $347.29
Over 5,000 sq.
ft.: $0.0669 per sq. ft.
Candles/Open
Flame Permit: $175.25
LPG/Propane Permit: $128.30
There
may be additional fees based on event size, setup, and additional equipment
etc. For more information visit: https://finance.smgov.net/Media/Default/fees/Fire.pdf
NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION FEE
The
Community Events Office will mail out notices to residents and businesses
within 500 feet of an event if there will be 1) amplified sound (other than
brief, intermittent announcements) or live music outdoors or in a tent and/or
2) if the event requires a street closure(s).
Events at fixed
venues: $229.75
Events
extending beyond a fixed venue (e.g., races): $0.78 per piece
For
more information visit: Fees & Rates -
Finance Department - City of Santa Monica (santamonica.gov)
PLANNING AND ZONING
Temporary
Use Permit (TUP): $1,147.41
For a re-occurring event or events on private space: $491.99
For more information visit: https://finance.smgov.net/Media/Default/fees/Community%20Development.pdf
POLICE
The
number of police officers required for security, crowd control, traffic
management, etc., to be determined by the Police Operations Division.
Police billable services are
actual costs per hour.
Police vehicle
(car): $109.29
per day
Motorcycle: $72.86 per day
Police Horse: $36.42 per day
Rescue boat: $291.49 for 4-hr minimum; $36.40 for each additional hour
For
more information visit: Fees & Rates -
Finance Department - City of Santa Monica (santamonica.gov)
RESOURCE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING
Events
must provide sufficient recycling, composting, and trash service per Muni Code 5.46. The city offers a
variety of containers to collect recycling, compost, and trash generated by
events.
Please
note the city is unable to provide hauling services to any event with 1,500 or
more attendees. These events must procure services from a private hauler.
Review the list of city approved private haulers here.
Event Related Fees
Event Bin Rental
(Trash, Compost, or Recycling): $325.90 per bin
Event Cart Rental
(Trash, Compost, or Recycling): $169.38 per cart
Event
Coordination Fee (Bins or Carts): $319.31
Additional Bin
Service (per bin): $138.50
Additional Cart
Service (per cart): $110.19
Refundable
Beach and Park Clean-up Deposit: $0.00 to $1,500.00
(depending on number of attendees and type of waste)
For more information on container sizes and pricing, visit: Public Works.pdf (santamonica.gov).
TRANSPORTATION
Review and approval are required when using the public-right-of-way, including parking meter reservations, temporary “No Parking” signs, valet permits, oversize load permits (for large vehicles), and temporary traffic control plans. Fees for staff time and lost parking meter revenue may also apply.
Metered Parking Space Reservation: posted rate of the meter
One-Day Valet Permit: $889.28 per day
Temporary No
Parking Sign Issuance: $86.53
Temporary “No
Parking” Signs: $1.98 per sign
Temporary “No
Parking” sign Removal: $240.70 per sign (if
sign not removed promptly after event)
Oversize Load
Permit (for large vehicles): $16.00 (one-way); $32.00 (two-way)
Roadway
Closure Permit: $358.79
Traffic Control
Plan Standard Review*: $370.52 per sheet (Review 1 & 2); $391.96 per sheet (Review 3 & >)
(allow 60 calendar days per review)
Traffic Control
Plan Expedited Review*: $484.74 per sheet (all reviews)
(Allow 10 calendar days per review)
*Note: Multiple review cycles may be required for your plan. Submit your plans via CitizenAccess/ProjectDox at least 60 days or more in advance of event to avoid expedited fees. Expedited fees will be charged for any review submitted within 30 calendar days of event.
Block Parties: $75.98 per event
Parking
Specialist Event Support: $335.06 per hour
Parking Manager
Event Support: $661.47 per hour
Traffic Engineer Event Support: $396.84 per hour
For more information visit: Fees & Rates -
Finance Department - City of Santa Monica