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Facility Rental

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1. Do I need a permit for a simple family picnic?

If your party or picnic will host 25 or more people, you are required to obtain a permit from the Community Services Department at least ten business days prior to the event. Call the department at (562) 989-7330 for more information.

2. Where do I get a permit application?

Applications must be made in person at the Community Services Department in City Hall:
2175 Cherry Ave.
Signal Hill, CA 90755

Business hours are Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Friday, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays. Cash, check, or money order payments are accepted.

3. How far in advance do I need to make my reservation?

Anyone wishing to use an outdoor facility must complete an application. Applications must be received a minimum of ten working days prior to the requested date and will be accepted up to six months in advance. A non-refundable deposit is required at the time the application is submitted. Full payment is due a minimum of ten business days prior to the event date, or the permit will be cancelled. All correspondence and communication will be sent to the applicant. Facilities Use Application

4. What hours are the community centers available by permit?

Signal Hill Park Community Center is available by permit on Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 10:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm. Discovery Well Park Community Center is available by permit Sunday through Saturday, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Times stated on the application must include time to decorate, set up, conduct the event, and properly clean the facility. Facility Use Application

5. Can I rent the Signal Hill Community Center's kitchen only?

The kitchen at Signal Hill Park Community Center cannot be rented independently; it must be rented in conjunction with the community center. Groups need to bring their own utensils and paper goods. Trash liners will be provided by the city. The oven and stove top are available for light cooking. An ice maker and a portion of the commercial refrigerator are available as well. Facility Use Application

6. Will staff be available during my event?

Staff members will be provided at every usage of indoor city facilities. The city reserves the right to assign additional staff or security for any event. If the applicant is not present after 30 minutes from the start time indicated on the application, staff members will lock up and leave the facility, thus canceling the event. No refund will be given.

7. If I have a permit, do I need to be present during the event?

The applicant is legally responsible for the event and must be on site during usage. Failure to be on site will result in the loss of all fees and deposits. Applicants may be required to show city staff identification on the day of the event. A copy of the facility rental contract must be carried by the applicant to the event.

8. Can staff members sign for deliveries?

Staff members are not authorized to sign for or accept any deliveries. All deliveries must be accepted by someone involved with the activity.

9. Who is responsible for damages or vandalism?

If there is any graffiti or vandalism committed to any of the equipment or facilities, the matter will be handled by the Signal Hill Police Department. All fees and deposits will be automatically forfeited, and the applicant will be subject to additional penalties and charges. Signal Hill Police Department

10. Is proof of residency necessary?

Yes. A California driver's license, identification, or utility bill must be presented prior to the application process. Facility Use Application

11. When are the parks open?

Parks are open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Restrooms are open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Permits for outdoor areas are limited to daylight hours, including set-up, take-down, and removal of equipment. Reservations are only available between dawn and dusk.

12. Are permits available on holidays?

Applications are not accepted, nor are permits issued, for city-recognized holidays or holiday weekends. Park facilities are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Exception: No usage of the amphitheater at the Signal Hill Park is allowed without a permit.

13. What happens if my group number is over the facility's capacity?

Estimated attendance is required to determine the impact upon the facility and the amount of staff that may be required to monitor the rental. Attendance also determines the ability to use a particular facility. The attendance number stated by the applicant should be the maximum amount of people anticipated during the rental at peak attendance. Violations of the attendance and occupancy levels will result in the loss of all fees and deposits. It may also cause termination of the rental due to overcrowding and safety violations, and it could affect the applicant's future ability to utilize city facilities.

14. My outdoor event will have more than 50 guests. Is that okay?

No. Requests for outdoor events exceeding 50 guests must submit a letter of intent describing event and crowd control measures for review and approval by the Community Services Department. If the event will have more than 75 guests, approval may be required from the Parks and Recreation Commission. No payment will be accepted for such a reservation until the event and crowd control measures have been approved. Please contact Community Services at 562-989-7330 for more information.

15. Can I bring my own barbecue grill or taco cart?

No. It is illegal to bring portable barbecues, hibachis, gas grills, etc. to city parks or facilities as per Signal Hill Municipal Code 9.08.010. There are grills available in all parks for public use.

16. Are alcoholic beverages allowed in the park or Community Centers?

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in and around all facilities, parks, and parking lots. Smoking is prohibited in all facilities and within 100 feet of all buildings. Gambling of any kind is not permitted at any facility. Regulations will be strictly enforced. All groups must abide by all laws pertaining to smoking, drinking, and illegal drugs. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in the immediate cancellation of the permitted use and departure from the park facility. All fees and deposits will be forfeited.

17. Is amplified music allowed in city parks?

All amplified music, including DJs and musical groups, are not permitted in the parks.

18. Is amplified music allowed in the community centers?

DJs and musical groups are permitted within the Signal Hill Park and Discovery Well Park community centers. Staff members reserve the right to monitor, regulate, and/or terminate the volume of amplified sound as to not disrupt other rental groups or residents. Rental groups shall be respectful of this requirement, or the rental permit may be terminated and the group asked to vacate the premises with no refund of fees.

19. What type of decorations may I use?

Nails, staples, etc. may not be used on picnic shelters, fences, or city equipment. Only low-stick tape may be used. All decorative materials must be flame retardant. No rice, confetti, glitter, or birdseed may be used at the park. Decorating must be done during the time frame of the permit and should be removed upon event completion.

20. Can I have a jumper at my event?

Yes. A permit issuing written approval from the Community Services Department must be secured prior to setting up a jumper / bounce house at a city park. Only vendors on the pre-approved vendor list are permitted to set up in the park. The house must be placed on turf and situated so that its entrance is at least eight feet away from any object that could hurt an occupant. The maximum space allowed for the house is 20' by 20'. For safety reasons, houses must be enclosed. Only one bounce house is permitted in a park per day. A picnic shelter permit is required with a bounce house permit.

21. Can I bring my own personal jumper?

No. The public is not permitted to bring their personally owned equipment. Bounce houses may only be set up by qualified representatives of a rental company.

22. What if I need to cancel my permit?

Cancellation must be made in writing to the Community Services Department at least ten business days prior to the event date in order to receive a refund. The non-refundable deposit will be retained upon notice to the city of cancellation. If the applicant cancels less than ten business days prior to scheduled usage, 50% of all fees and deposits shall be forfeited. If the cancellation is made five working days or less prior to the event, all fees and deposits shall be forfeited.

A full refund will be made in the event of cancellation due to inclement weather or a city program. There is no refund for reservation time not utilized by the applicant, except for reasons of inclement weather. Inclement weather refunds will only be issued if approved by the director of community services.

23. Can I bring a dog to the park?

Dogs are allowed in city parks. Owners must keep their dogs on leashes and pick up any pet waste.

24. Can I bring tables and chairs to the park?

Your are able to bring extra tables and chairs to the parks only if you have a permit from the Community Services Department.

25. Can I run a fitness/bootcamp class or practice with my team in the park?

Yes, a permit is required for any person conducting fitness instruction, group training or youth sports practice in any City park. Municipal Code 9.08.10K.
Permits may be obtained from the City of Signal Hill Community Services Department (562) 989-7330.

26. Can I pay with a credit card?

Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.