The City of La Cañada Flintridge recognizes that parades and special events enhance cultural awareness and provide special opportunities within La Cañada Flintridge, which are beneficial to residents. A permit process is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of participants and spectators. Organizations or community groups that wish to hold an event that has the potential of interfering with the normal flow of traffic in the public right-of-way, such as, but not limited to, a race, parade, block party, etc. will need to obtain a Parade and Special Event Permit before any activities can take place. (Chapter 4.05 REGULATION OF PARADES AND SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY)
Following events are except from the permitting requirement:
A. Funeral processions;
B. Students going to and from school classes or participating in educational activities, provided that such conduct is under the immediate direction and supervision of the proper school authorities;
C. A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions;
D. Spontaneous events occasioned by news or affairs coming into public knowledge within three days of such parade or special event provided that the organizer thereof gives written notice to the city at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such spontaneous event;
E. Film/still photography activity conducted pursuant to a valid city permit;
F. Special events which take place wholly on private property. Such events are regulated by other provisions of this code.
Permit Requirements
A Parade and Special Event Application must be filed at least 10 days prior, but no longer than 180 days before the date of the special event, in order to qualify for consideration. If the event is annual or recurring, a permit must be filed at least 60 days prior, but no longer than 180 days before the actual event date. The application must be completed in order to qualify for consideration by the city to obtain a permit.
Fees
The cost of submitting the application itself is $100 and non-refundable. The fee is required at the time the application is submitted. Events may incur additional fees as deemed necessary by the City, such as for the regulation of traffic signals, blocked roads, Sheriff personnel, and Traffic Engineer Review, etc. All fees must be paid prior to the event unless specified by the city that they can be reimbursed upon receipt of an invoice from the city. This is in order to pay for the actual costs the city incurs for providing such services.
Waiver of Fees and Costs
Interested applicants wishing to apply for a waiver of fees and costs must submit a request letter no less than thirty days in advance of the event.
To see if your group or organization or group qualifies for a fee waiver, click here to review the fee waiver criteria.
The applicant, in order to apply for the fee waiver, must attach a letter request from its organization/group that elaborates on the group/organization, describes the event they would like to hold, and explains their need for a fee waiver.
Upon the review by the City, the waiver, only then, will be approved by the city staff or City Council.
