ABOUT OCCASIONAL EVENTS
| What is an Occasional Event Permit? An Occasional Event Permit (OEP) is a ONE (1) DAY PERMIT for Long Beach Businesses without an annual entertainment permit to have entertainment or live music on a business' private property. All applicants AND the property holding the event must have a Long Beach Business License in good standing (all account fees paid in full) to apply. Should any of the event affect public property (example: attendees lining up on sidewalk, impacts neighborhood parking, etc.), organizer must apply for Special Event permit. Permits are not considered valid until applicant has paid all fees and signed all paperwork.
This permit DOES NOT override existing City ordinances, Alcohol Beverage Control or Department of Cannabis Control Conditions and DOES NOT grant permission to disturb the peace of the surrounding area. |
DEFINITION OF ENTERTAINMENT
PER MUNICIPAL CODE § 5.72.115
"Entertainment activity" means any activity conducted for the primary purpose of diverting or entertaining a clientele in a premises open to the general public. Such activity shall include, but shall not be limited to, dancing, whether by performers or patrons of the establishment, live musical performances, instrumental or vocal, when carried on by more than two (2) persons or whenever amplified; musical entertainment provided by a disc jockey or karaoke, or any similar entertainment activity involving amplified, reproduced music.
An Occasional Event Permit IS required under the following:
- Business does not have an entertainment license.
- The presence of amplified entertainment.
- DJs are considered amplified entertainment.
- The presence of three (3) or more entertainers.
- The presence of entertainment or music intended as a feature of your event (as opposed to ambient music, played in the background–like grocery story music)
- Short Term Rental (STR) Applicant looking to hold an event on property that may exceed occupancy rates.
An Occasional Event Permit CANNOT be issued under the following conditions:
- A business that doesn’t have a valid and current business license.
- Located at a private residence (includes apartments, townhomes, etc.)
- Event is held on City property. These require a Special Event Permit.
City property includes parks, sidewalks, streets, and all public buildings. - If certain existing conditions issued by Planning, Business Licensing, or Long Beach Fire prohibit an event from taking place safely.
An Occasional Event Permit may not be required under the following conditions:
- The presence of Ambient, Acoustic, or Background music NOT intended as featured entertainment – think of ambient background music as music you hear in the background while shopping at a grocery store.
- DJs are NOT considered ambient music.
- One (1) to two (2) acoustic performers only.
- Acoustic music shall NOT be amplified or electronically enhanced.
- Ambient and acoustic music must NOT be audible more than ten (10) feet from any portion of the exterior of the premises.
- The presence of Ambient, Acoustic, or Background music NOT intended as featured entertainment – think of ambient background music as music you hear in the background while shopping at a grocery store.
FEES:
- $102
Occasional Event Permit Fee
- $130 + 10% Admin Fee
Fire Safety Officer Spot Check Fee (if deemed necessary)
BEFORE FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION, PLEASE HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
ACTIVE BUSINESS LICENSEAll applicants (including non-profits) and participating event vendors must provide a fully processed ACTIVE business license in good standing with the City of Long Beach. For more information on Business Licensing call (562) 570-6211.
SITE MAPEveryone must submit a detailed diagram indicating location of entertainment, emergency exits, location of alcohol, location of security, etc. The operator must exhibit an understanding that all exits must remain clear and unblocked by event activities. Please submit this to SEF-Permits@longbeach.gov with the name of your event in the Subject Line.
PERMISSION LETTER OF USE + OCCUPANCY RATINGIf event is being held on property other than your own, we will need proof of permission from property owner and the space's approved occupancy rating. Due to certain specific circumstances, usually related to alcohol requirements and/or fire codes, Long Beach Fire Safety Officer may conduct a Safety Spot Check or city staff may be required to staff your event.
SERVING/SELLING FOODIf your event is serving food of any kind or your venue is not licensed to serve food, you will need a Health Permit. Please fill out this Organizer Permit Application & TFF Food Permit Application and email to Janice.Garcia@longbeach.gov or go to their Temporary Food Facilities page for more info. As of December 2021, all retail vendors (including Food Trucks) must have a business license in the City of Long Beach. For more info, please contact Business Licensing at 562-570-6211.
ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) LICENSEIf you are serving alcohol, please call ABC Licensing for a permit (562) 982-1337.
PRIVATE PATROL OFFICER + SECURITY INFORMATIONSecurity will be needed if you are serving alcohol. Your PPO company must have a valid Long Beach Business License.
CHARITABLE SOLICITATION PERMITIf you are raising money, please call (562) 570-7219. Does not apply to churches. Charitable Solicitation Permits take 30 days to process and are valid for one (1) calendar year. If you will be fund raising several times throughout the year, we recommend filing for the permit at the beginning of the year.
STAGE AND TRUSSAny event with a stage over 3ft and a truss over 12ft must be ADA compliant, and must provide plans to Building and Planning Department for approval.
COMMUNITY SURVEYIn some cases, based on the footprint of the event, a community signature survey may be required with an approval rating of 80% of the impacted residents/businesses within a radius of your event venue. Impacted area shall be determined by the Office of Special Events and Filming. |
Other Notes:
Short Term Rentals: An Occasional Event Permit may be required if you are a Short Term Rental applicant looking to hold an event on property. The purpose of an Occasional Event Permit for Short Term Rentals is to create oversight and ensure the peace of the neighborhood is considered for applicants looking to hold a one (1) day event on property that may exceed occupancy rates. Short Term Rental Event Application
Mobile Food Facility Event Permit: For latest on the latest Mobile Food Facility Ordinance, visit Community Development.
Application and Forms:
+OEP Application (Online Version)
+OEP Application (PDF)
+OEP Application for AirBnB/Short Term Rentals ONLY (PDF)
+Community Signature Survey
+Occasional Event Permit Checklist
+Information on being a Special Event Vendor
Please email Site Plans and PDF Applications to SEF-Permits@longbeach.gov
Interested in an Annual Entertainment License? Apply from one from Business licensing here.
Does your event affect public property? Apply for a Special Event Permit.
