To provide police services to assure a safe environment for community special events while minimizing disruption to the public through appropriate planning and staffing.

A special event is defined as any occurrence on public or private property that by its nature may have an effect on residents, traffic, businesses or public encroachment.

The City of Palo Alto has a Special Events Team. This team is made up of representatives from the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department, Planning Department, Transportation Department, Recreation Department and the City Risk Management Division. This team meets once a month in order to review, plan and properly permit special events.

Special Events Permits

Most special events require a city permit. If you are planning a special event, you must submit a written proposal to the Special Operations Sergeant at least three weeks prior to the event. The Special Operations Sergeant will distribute the proposal to Special Events Team members for review and authorization. You can apply for a permit "on-line" by clicking on this the link below. There you can download a permit application form. The application can be filled out on line and then printed out and mailed or brought to the Police Department (the application must be signed). If your event is authorized, and your application approved, you will be required to pay the applicable permit fees prior to your event. Your Permit will not be issued until the fees have been collected.

Activities that may require permits are as follows:

Private Parties

Any street closure

Any film production shoot

Any erected tent with more than 400 square feet

Any encroachment on City property

Any noise source not covered by the Municipal Code

Any building use for any event other than what it was originally designed for

Any planned event that the Risk Manager believes creates City liability

DOWNLOAD: Special Event Permit Application

If you are planning a block party in a residential neighborhood, you can download a copy of the permit application form below. The application can be filled out on line and then printed out and mailed or brought to the Police Department (the application must be signed).

DOWNLOAD: Block Party Permit Application

Requests for Police Services

Residents may also request Police Services to assist with security, traffic and crowd control for certain types of "Special Events". It must be understood by the party requesting police services that requests are filled on an overtime basis only, and overtime requests are posted one month in advance. Therefore, the sooner we receive your written request for police services, the better chance you have of that request being filled.

Any written request for police services received less than 30 days prior to the event may not be filled due to the above policy. All requests for Police Services must be approved by the Special Operations Sergeant.

It is the policy of our Revenue Collections Department that a deposit for the full estimated amount of services be received prior to the event. If your request for police services cannot be filled or an officer(s) was there for a shorter length of time than requested, you will be refunded; likewise, if an officer(s) is at an event longer than requested or a higher ranking officer fills the spot, you will be billed for the difference.

Checks are to be made out to the City of Palo Alto; arrangements must be made to have the check received at least one week prior to the event. No exceptions can be made to this policy.

You can download a "Request For Police Services" form using the link below, and complete it online then print it out and mail or bring it to the Police Department. You should call the numbers listed on the form for more information on fees and deposits, prior to competing the application form.

DOWNLOAD: Request For Police Officer Services Form

Valet Parking Permits

The City of Palo Alto regulates the use of "Valet Parking" for businesses and/or special events in the City. Before you can provide Valet Parking at your business and/or event you must apply for a Valet Parking Permit from the Police Department. There is also a fee associated with the issuance of the permit. You can apply for the permit by contacting the Special Operations Sergeant. You can do this in person at the Police Department, 275 Forest Avenue (Monday thru Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or request an application be mailed you by phone at 650-329-2459. Or, you can download an application, using the link below, which can be completed online and then printed out and mailed or dropped off at the Police Department (along with the permit fee).

DOWNLOAD: Valet Parking Permit Application