The granting of a Temporary Use Permit allows for a limited-duration activity that may not meet the normal development standards but are acceptable because of their temporary nature. For information in the processing of a specific type of temporary use, please select one or more of the following appropriate links.

Please contact the Planning Division at (805) 583-6769, if you desire to discuss your proposed activity, and for any questions you may have regarding the planning process and/or the required application submittal information and materials. For the most up to date Temporary Use Permit fees and deposits required, please refer to the City's fee schedule. 

Would you like to have a limited sidewalk sale or display, an extensive promotional commercial activity, or holiday seasonal sale for your business?

This type of temporary activity includes the display and sale of items along the sidewalk in front of your store or in a tent in your parking lot area; grand opening events; and Christmas tree lots and pumpkin patches; etc.

First, you will want to ensure your proposed activity will meet the City’s standards, including location, duration, parking, frequency, etc., by reviewing Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location, layout, and boundaries of the proposed sales event, including display areas and temporary structures, as well as existing structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas surrounding your event. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application. You will also need to obtain written permission for your event from the property owner or manager.

If you would like to have signage for your event, we’ll need to know its location, size, text, color, and material. You are allowed to display one sign, either an on-building sign no larger than 50 square feet or a freestanding sign no larger than 12 square feet and 6 feet high. The freestanding sign may be located anywhere on the parcel of your business, or within the commonly managed shopping center with the property owner's or manager's permission. A separate Temporary Sign Permit and fee will not be required.

Lastly, bring your completed application and site plan to the Planning Division, where a Planner will review to verify that all Planning Division requirements and standards are met. If in compliance, we will issue a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for your sales event. In addition to the TUP application fee, a clean up deposit will be required for any activities that occur on vacant sites. The deposit is returned once the site is clean. When your event is over, the site must be completely cleaned of debris, displays, temporary signage, and temporary structures.

Additional Information

A Special Event Permit may be required from the City for public events that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Expect 300 or more attendees
• Occur on any City street, sidewalk, and/or parking facility
• Require exceptional regulatory review

Refer to the City’s Special Event Web Page or contact specialevents@simivalley.org or (805) 583-6736 for more information about Special Event Permits.

A Temporary Food Facility Permit or a Mobile Food Facility Permit may be required from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, if food will be served at your event. Contact them at (805) 654-2431 or visit the Ventura County Environmental Health Division website for permit requirements and applications.

Would you like to have a group assembly event, such as a fair, fundraiser, or festival?

A group assembly activity is where people gather together for a temporary event such as a business grand opening, a festival, farmer’s market, or a live music event.

First, you will want to ensure your proposed activity will meet the City’s standards, including location, duration, parking, frequency, etc., by reviewing Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location, layout, and boundaries of the proposed event, including display areas/vendors and temporary structures, as well as existing structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas surrounding your event. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application. You will also need to obtain written permission for your event from the property owner or manager.

The activity is allowed in any zoning district; however, in residential areas, the hours are generally limited to between 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. However, on Fridays and Saturdays, events may continue until midnight with approval of City’s Chief of Police. The event is limited to six days; if requesting additional time, please refer to SVMC Section 9-52.080.I.4.f for more information and applicable standards.

If you would like to have signage for your event, we’ll need to know its location, size, text, color, and material. You are allowed to display two signs: freestanding signs are limited to 6 feet in height and 12 square feet in size, and on-building signs are limited to 50 square feet. The freestanding sign may be located anywhere on the parcel of your business, or within the commonly managed shopping center with the property owner's or manager's permission. A separate Temporary Sign Permit and fee will not be required.

Lastly, bring your completed application and site plan to the Planning, where a Planner will review to verify that all Planning Division requirements and standards are met. If in compliance, we will issue a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for your sales event. In addition to the TUP application fee, a deposit will be required for any activities that occur on vacant sites. The deposit is returned once the site is clean. When your event is over, the site must be completely cleaned of debris, displays, temporary signage, and temporary structures.

Additional Information

A Special Event Permit may be required from the City for public events that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Expect 300 or more attendees
• Occur on any City street, sidewalk, and/or parking facility
• Require exceptional regulatory review

Special Events help create a vibrant and interesting community. Simi Valley enjoys dozens of carnivals, fairs, car shows, art shows, fundraising walks/runs, concerts, and other cultural events each year. These events require a lot of planning and may require City services and regulations to run smoothly.

You are not limited as to the number of on-site signs for Special Events; however, freestanding signs are limited to 6 feet in height and 12 square feet in size, and on-building signs are limited to 50 square feet. A separate Temporary Sign Permit and fee will not be required.

Please refer to SVMC Title 5 for information regarding any event to be located in a City street or sidewalk. Refer to the City’s Special Event Web Page or contact the Special Events Office at (805) 583-6736 or specialevents@simivalley.org for more information.

A Temporary Food Facility Permit or a Mobile Food Facility Permit may be required from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, if food will be served at your event. Contact them at (805) 654-2431 or visit the Ventura County Environmental Health Division website for permit requirements and applications.

An ABC License will be required from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, if alcohol will be served at your event. For more information and an application, please contact them at (805) 289-0100.

Do you need a temporary cargo container related to construction, temporary storage, or extensive holiday seasonal sales?

This type of activity involves the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for a cargo container for temporary storage such as for a construction site, extra merchandise during the holiday season, or storage during a move. The temporary use of cargo containers may be allowed in any zoning district as follows:

• For construction sites, with a valid Building Permit. The Temporary Use Permit is valid during construction and until 60 days thereafter. Please refer to Temporary Use Permit for construction yard or office related to your development project.
• For the holiday seasonal sales, the activity is granted in conjunction with a Temporary Use Permit for an extensive promotional activity.
• For the purpose of moving goods, one container is allowed for a maximum period of 10 days per calendar year with a maximum size of 8 feet by 16 feet. Containers shall not encroach into the public right-of-way.

First, you will want to ensure your proposed activity will meet the City’s standards, including location, duration, parking, frequency, etc., by reviewing Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location and size of the cargo container, as well as existing structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas surrounding container. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application. Lastly, bring your completed TUP application and site plan to the Planning Counter for review. If all Planning Division requirements and standards are met and your TUP application fee has been paid, we will issue you a TUP for your cargo container.

Do you need to establish a temporary real estate sales office and/or model home complex for a residential development?

First, please ensure your proposed activity will meet City standards by reviewing our Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. In addition, please refer to SVMC Section 9-52.080.I.6 for the specific standards and regulations for temporary real estate sales offices and model home complexes, some of which include:

• To be located within the boundaries of a residential subdivision for the sole purpose of conducting sales of parcels within the same subdivision. No off-site sales are permitted.
• May be maintained until all of the on-site parcels in the subdivision have been sold and the escrow closed.
• Off-street parking shall be provided at a ratio of one space per 250 square feet of sales office area, plus one parking space for each sales person (employee).

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location, layout, and boundaries of the temporary sales trailer, including walkways, parking, including handicapped parking, landscaping, and fencing, as well as surrounding existing structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application. Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

If you would like to have signage, we will need to know its location, size, text, color, and material. You are allowed to display one sign, either an on-building or freestanding sign no larger than 12 square feet and 6 feet in height. A separate Temporary Sign Permit and fee will not be required. Flags, pennants, streamers, and similar forms of hanging displays (but not banners or signage) may be displayed from the roof of a structure or elsewhere on-site, but not above the roofline.

Next, bring your completed application and site plan to the Planning, where a Planner will review to verify that all Planning Division requirements and standards are met. If in compliance, we will issue a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). In addition to the TUP application fee, a deposit will be required for any activities that occur on vacant sites to ensure the clean up of the site. The deposit is returned once the site is clean.

Lastly, with the Temporary Use Permit, you need to obtain a Building Permit to ensure adequate access from the handicapped parking to the trailer, and for electrical and plumbing work. The specific submittal requirements and application can be found at Building & Safety Division, or you may contact them at enviroservices@simivalley.org or (805) 583-6723 for more information.

Do you need a construction staging area or office related to your development project?

In conjunction with your construction project, if you need an equipment and materials storage and staging area, and/or a construction office, you will require a Temporary Use Permit (TUP).

First, you’ll want to ensure your proposed activity will meet City standards by reviewing our Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. Please refer to SVMC Section 9-52.080.I.3 for the specific standards and regulations for temporary construction yards and offices, some of which include:

• With a building or grading permit, allowed in any zoning district, provided that the yards or offices are located on or immediately adjacent to the development site. Allowed on a vacant lot when the work is being done in the City’s street rights-of-way. In this situation, an Encroachment Permit from the Department of Public Works is also required.
• One adult caretaker may reside on the site provided suitable sanitary facilities are available.

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location, layout, and boundaries of the temporary sales trailer, including walkways, parking, including handicapped parking, landscaping, fencing with screening material, surrounding existing structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application.

Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

Lastly, bring your completed TUP application and site plan to the Planning Counter for review. If all Planning Division requirements and standards are met, we will issue you a TUP for your construction yard and/or office. In addition to the TUP application fee, a deposit will be required for any activities that occur on vacant sites to ensure cleanup. The deposit is returned once the site is clean.

Do you wish to use a recreational vehicle or mobile home as a temporary residence during the construction of your single-family home?

A recreational vehicle (RV) or mobile home may be used as a temporary dwelling on a single-family parcel for the owner of the site while constructing a single-family residence. First, you will want to ensure your proposed activity will meet City standards by reviewing our Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. Also, please refer to SVMC Section 9-52.080.I.7 for the specific standards and regulations, which includes the requirement of a building permit, and the provision of electrical, sanitary, and water connections for mobile home.

Next, on the approved plot plan for the house, show the location, layout, and boundaries of the temporary RV or mobile home. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application. Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

Lastly, bring your completed Temporary Use Permit Application and plot plan to the Planning Counter for review. If all Planning Division requirements and standards are met, we will issue you a TUP for the use of a recreational vehicle or mobile home as a temporary residence. In addition to the TUP application fee, a deposit will be required for any activities that occur on vacant sites to ensure cleanup. The deposit is returned once the site is clean.

If you intend to use a mobile home as your temporary residence, you will need to obtain a building permit. The application and specific submittal requirements can be found at Building & Safety Division, or you may also contact Building & Safety at enviroservices@simivalley.org or (805) 583-6723 for more information.

Are you interested in setting up an agricultural produce stand to sell produce grown on the same site?

First, to ensure your proposed activity will meet the City’s standards, please review the Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary and refer to SVMC Section 9-52.080.I.1 for the specific standards and regulations for Agricultural Produce Stands, some of which include:

• Allowed in any zoning district.
• The display area must not exceed 400 square feet.
• No permit shall last longer than 12 months.
• The temporary stand must be removed when not used for 30 consecutive days.

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location, layout, and boundaries of the temporary stand including walkways, parking, including handicapped parking, landscaping, fencing, surrounding existing crops, structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application. Please visit or contact Planning at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

You also need to have a current City Business Tax Certificate for your produce stand before you proceed.

Next, you will need to obtain a Ventura County Health Permit to sell your produce. Please contact the Ventura County Environmental Health Division at (805) 654-2431 for information and an application.

Lastly, bring your completed TUP application, site plan, current Business Tax Certificate (or completed application), and Ventura County Health Permit to the Planning Counter for review. If all Planning Division requirements and standards are met, we will issue you a TUP for your agricultural produce stand. In addition to the TUP application fee, a deposit will be required for any activities that occur on vacant sites to ensure cleanup. The deposit is returned once the site is clean.

Are you interested in becoming a mobile food vendor?

If you are interested in setting up as a mobile food vendor at an existing commercial shopping center, a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) is required. Aesthetics are a very important concern of the City. It is expected that any food vendor will have an attractive display. We also strongly recommend that you visit Planning or contact us at (805) 583-6769 or enviroservices@simivalley.org for a preliminary review of your proposal.

The following are examples of the type of displays that are acceptable:

First, to ensure your proposed activity will meet the City’s standards please review the City Temporary Use Permit - Regulations Summary. In addition, please refer to SVMC Section 9-52.080.I.9 for the specific standards and regulations for mobile food vendors, some of which include:

• Allowed in commercial and industrial zones, only on properties that have an approved Planned Development Permit or Conditional Use Permit for the site.
• The mobile food vending/display area must not exceed 400 square feet, encroach on any handicapped access path of travel, or be located within required parking spaces, loading zones, drive-through lanes, driveways, fuel pump queuing areas, or landscaped planters.
• No permit shall last longer than 12 months.
• One sign not to exceed 12 square feet may be affixed to the display.
• No amplified music may be allowed as part of the TUP.
• Food displays, including pushcarts, trailers, tables, chairs, umbrellas, and accessory equipment must be removed from the premises during non-business hours of the businesses where the food vendor is located.

You will need to obtain a Ventura County Health Permit for this type of business. You will need to obtain a Ventura County Health Permit Type 1, 2, or 3 for various carts and non-refrigerated products. Uses requiring a Type 4 Health Permit, such as catering trucks/trailers, are not allowed under this TUP. Please contact the Ventura County Environmental Health Division at (805) 654-2431 for information and an application.

Next, prepare a site plan showing the location, layout, and boundaries of the temporary display including walkways, parking, including handicapped parking, landscaping, fencing, surrounding structures, walkways, roadways, and parking areas. With this information, you can then complete a Temporary Use Permit Application.

You also need to have a current City Business Tax Certificate for your mobile food vendor business before you proceed.

Lastly, bring your completed TUP application, site plan, current Business Tax Certificate (or completed application), and Ventura County Health Permit to the Planning Counter for review. If all Planning Division requirements and standards are met and your TUP application fee has been paid, we will issue you an annual TUP as a mobile food vendor.

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