The Town of Portola Valley Municipal Code requires obtaining a Special Event Permit and paying the required fees and/or deposits prior to holding the event.

Once you have reviewed the policies below, please email the following information to events@portolavalley.net to inquire about a permit. The Town will review your request and respond within two to five business days:

• Name and/or Organization
• Requested Date and Time of Event
• Type and Purpose of Event
• Proposed Route Map (if applicable)
• Number of anticipated participants

Your request will be reviewed and if it meets the standards outline below, you will be sent a link to complete the Special Event Permit Application via our online platform for further review and approval.

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STREET CLOSURE AND PERMITS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS: 

APPLICATION:

1. Any person may apply to the Town for a permit to temporarily close any portion of any street. Such an application shall be made no later than thirty (30) days prior to the proposed event.

2. The applicant requesting permission for a street closure and/or special event permit utilizing any town street, must obtain a certificate of insurance. The insurance certificate must name the Town of Portola Valley, its officers, agents, and employees, whether elected or appointed, as additional insureds.

3. The applicant must also coordinate traffic control with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. Any cost for traffic control must be assumed by the applicant, at no cost to the Town of Portola Valley. This would include barricades and any other signs deemed necessary by the Sheriff's Office.

4. All the above requirements must be met before the application will be given final approval.

5. These rules and regulations shall not be construed to affect in any way the responsibility of the applicant to obtain all permits that may be required by the County of San Mateo, or other governmental entities that may be directly effected by the special event and/or street closure.


STANDARDS FOR REVIEW:

1. The Town shall review the application and determine if it meets the standards set forth below. If it does, the applicant will be given an application to be completed prior to approval. If it doesn't, he/she shall deny the application.

2. Any street in the Town of Portola Valley may be closed temporarily for the following reasons only under Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) CVC:
a. A parade or demonstration
b. A residential block party
c. A special event, such as a foot race, bicycle race, or otherwise, when no commercial sales will occur in the street closure.

3. No permit shall be issued when, in the opinion of the Town, such closure would drastically affect the local businesses, the efficient flow of traffic, or the prompt access to any area by emergency vehicles.