Special Events

A special event is defined as any activity on public or private property that requires City services in excess of those normally provided. About 2,500 special events are held in the City of Los Angeles every year.

Approvals for special events come from different agencies within the City. The Police Commission and the Bureau of Street Services grant permits for special events; the Department of Transportation does not. Procedures to apply for special event approvals can be found here.

After receiving notification of permit applications from the two approval bodies, the Department of Transportation conducts preliminary screenings to determine the appropriate level of transportation response and the estimated cost of LADOT services.

LADOT can respond in many ways: The Department can simply post temporary parking restrictions at the event location or it can prepare a detailed Special Event Traffic Management Plan, among other actions.

Notifications of large upcoming special events are posted on the Department of Transportation’s Automated Traffic Surveillance And Control website . The special events are listed under “Special Event Info.”