Free Speech Event Procedures

Free Speech Events are permitted at City Parks and public-right- of way without a permit subject to the following conditions:

 

  • The principal purpose of the event is the expression of free speech rights as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or by Article 1,
  • Section 2 of the California Constitution.
  • Attendance is under approved limit (see table below)
  • No amplified sound
  • No interference with traffic or obstruction of ingress or egress
  • No use of structure or equipment that require a health & safety inspection

A planned Free Speech Event that is not in compliance with any of the above standards requires an official City of Rancho Palos Verdes Permit. Contact 310-544-5200 for more information. For more information about Free Speech Events and other special events go to the following links: 

Link to 9/3/19 Special Event Staff Report

Link Municipal Code Special Event Section

For information about obtaining a City of Rancho Palos Verdes contact 310-544-5200 

Special Event Table

Permits are required for all events at locations 1 through 7 that meet the anticipated attendance indicated, and/or for all events that (a) use amplified sound, (b) may interfere with traffic, ingress, or egress; or (3) will use structures that require health and safety inspections.  

Location
Special Event Permit (12.20.040; 12.20.060; 12.20.070) Permit Threshold 

Free Speech Special Event (12.20.040; 12.20.080) Free speech permit threshold: 
Maximum Attendance (all events) 
1. Public right-of-way

                   
100
300
N/A
2. Civic Center (Upper Point Vicente Park/City Hall) 

100
300
N/A
3. Hesse Park

100
300
500
4. Lower Point Vicente Park (Point Vicente Interpretive Center outside of Preserve) 

100
300
500 for free speech events 500 for all other special events 
5. Robert Ryan Park

75
150
200
6. Ladera Linda Park

50
50
200
7.Eastview Park
50
50
200




Special limitations for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
 
Location

Special Event Permit (12.20.040; 12.20.060; 12.20.070) Permit Threshold  Free Speech Special Event (12.20.040; 12.20.080) Free speech permit threshold: Maximum Attendance (all events) 
8. Palos Verdes Nature Preserve: Hikes, nature walks, and park cleanups as permitted under the NCCP/HCP. No other events are permitted. Maximum event/group attendance: 20 people 
Not a permissible use in the Preserve 
20
Permits may be required for Free Speech Special Events at locations 9 through 15 that are likely to meet the attendance thresholds as indicated below. No events are permitted at these locations that (a) exceed the attendance threshold; (b) use amplified sound, (c) may interfere with traffic, ingress or egress; or (d) use structures that require health and safety inspections. 
9. Del Cerro Park
maximum event/group attendance: 50 people
50
200 for free speech events only
50 for all other events/groups
10. Frank S. Vanderlip Park
No permit required
Maximum event/group attendance: 50 people
50
200 for free speech events only 50 for all other events/groups 
11. Abalone Cove picnic area and preschool/lifeguard area
 
Maximum event/group attendance: 50 people 
50
200 for free speech events only 
12. Marilyn Ryan Sunset Park
No permit required
Maximum event/group attendance: 50 people
50
200 for free speech events only 50 for all other events/groups 
13. Founders Park
Maximum event/group attendance: 50 people 
50
200 for free speech events only 50 for all other events/groups 
14. Grandview Park
No permit required
Maximum event/group attendance: 50 people
50
200 for free speech events only 50 for all other events/groups 
15. Pelican Cove
No permit required
Maximum event/group attendance: 50 people
50
200 for free speech events only 50 for all other events/groups