Canyon Lake Makes Special Event Permit Fee Changes: What To Know

CANYON LAKE, CA — The Canyon Lake City Council unanimously voted to waive special
event permit application fees for active and exempt non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations for the remainder of 2023, it was decided Thursday.

There are three parts to this new ruling, however. To waive the special event permit fees, the non-profit organization must have an active 501(c)(3) designation awarded by the IRS, active status with the California Secretary of State, and a valid Canyon Lake business license.

The waiver also applies to religious organizations as they are tax-exempt and not required to obtain a Canyon Lake business license per Canyon Lake Municipal Code Section 5.01.120.

There is one exception to the fee waiver. Fees will not be waived on the City’s Special Event Permit – Minor since this permit is issued through an automatic approval process through an online portal. The cost for this Minor permit is $20.

“Canyon Lake is a social and active community, and our non-profits are an important part of what makes us special,” said Council Member Jennifer Dain. “The events they host ignite a sense of excitement and unity amongst our residents, and they serve our community in so many ways through donations, scholarships, volunteerism, and much more.”

Established in 1997, Canyon Lake Municipal Code, Chapter 11.25, specifies that all special events, gatherings, and planned occurrences that may attract 50 or more people require a special event permit from the City. In December 2022, the Council adopted an updated Citywide Fee Schedule, which established a new tier structure for special event permits based on the size and type of event.

Since then, the City has received significant feedback regarding the cost of the permit, particularly from the local non-profits, clubs, and activity groups.

“Since implementing the new tier structure, we have listened to the community, and we believe we can find better solutions together,” said Council Member Kasey Castillo. “We are grateful to give back to all of these organizations that do such a wonderful job, and this is a great starting point as we move forward.”

The City has committed to reviewing existing municipal codes and processes associated with Special Event Permits and intends to revise them accordingly. Any future changes must go before the City Council for formal approval and adoption.

For more information on Special Events Permits requirements and tiers or to apply for permits, visit www.canyonlakeca.gov.