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Permits

Some activities in the Park District require a permit.

Beer and Wine Permit

A fee of $25 will be charged for a beer & wine permit in parks where alcohol is restricted to reserved picnic areas. For information call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1. Please click HERE for park specific rules.

Caterer / Vehicle Access Permit

How do I obtain a permit?
Call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757) option 2 to purchase a one-day vehicle access permit. You must pay the fee and meet the insurance requirement at least five working days before the event so that you can coordinate access with the Park Supervisor. Vehicle access permits cannot be requested under 7 days.

Which sites allow vehicle access?
Vehicle access is available only at selected parks and sites with a picnic reservation.  Download list here: List of Vehicle Accessible Sites (Acrobat PDF). DROP OFF ONLY SITES: Certain sites are designated DROP OFF ONLY: Please check the rules for the specific facility you will be using.  At drop-off sites, vehicles will be allowed in to drop off picnic supplies but they must be removed from the site within 30 minutes.  Vehicles will be allowed back in to load at a prearranged time.

How much does the permit cost?
One-day permits are $75 with a $25 late fee for less than 15 days notice. Annual permits are $150.

What is the insurance requirement?
Permittee shall supply a Certificate of General Liability Insurance for coverage of at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence including automobile liability coverage in the amount of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. The certificate shall list East Bay Regional Park District as an additional insured while Permittee is working in an East Bay Regional Park. This coverage must apply to the vehicle being driven to the site. QUARRY LAKES PARK: permits issued for Quarry Lakes Park must also include Alameda County Water District as additional insured.

Do you have a list of approved caterers and vendors?
Yes! The District's Annual Vehicle Access Permit list reflects the vendors who have submitted proof of insurance to the District and signed our Annual Vehicle Access Agreement. This list does not constitute an endorsement of any particular vendor. You are not required to use an approved vendor; however, if you use someone on this list you are not required to purchase a one-day permit.

2013 List of Annual Vehicle Access Permit Holders
Click on the links below for more information.
- Back Forty Texas BBQ
- Darryl Scotti Events
- Miraglia Catering
- Picnic Time Productions

How do I apply for an annual vehicle access permit?
If you own a catering company and would like to apply for the annual permit:
1.--Create an account online at www.ebparksonline.org (or login to your existing account)
2.--Purchase annual vehicle access permit
3.--Sign and return permit to Reservations Supervisor at reservations@ebparks.org along with current insurance documents.
4.--Questions? Email reservations@ebparks.org or call the Reservations Department - 888-327-2757, option 2.

How do I CANCEL or CHANGE my permit?
The annual vehicle access permit fee is NON-refundable. One-day permits are refunded as follows:
Cancellations/changes received more than 30 days in advance will receive 90% refund of the permit fee. Cancellations/changes made 30 to 15 days in advance will receive 75% refund of the site use fee. Cancellations/changes made 14 to 7 days in advance will receive 50% refund of the site use fee. Cancellations/changes made less than 7 days in advance will receive NO REFUND. Please keep in mind that picnic areas are outdoors and certain factors are beyond our control. No refunds will be issued for bees, bird droppings, wind or other uncontrollable factors.

Day Camp Operation Permit

Both for-profit and non-profit day camps must have a permit in order to operate in the East Bay Regional Park District. Camps are considered to be "operating" in the East Bay Regional Park District when the park is the primary business location, i.e. kids are dropped off and picked up at the park. A permit is not required for occasional field trips that start or finish at the provider's facilities. However, please note that advanced notification is required for swim trips on summer weekdays. See swim information page: http://www.ebparks.org/activities/swimming.  

Fee: $50/summer (June through August*)
*The Special Use Permit fee applies to day camps or other fee-based programs September through May. See special event/use permit: http://www.ebparks.org/activities/permits#event.

  Download > Summer Day Camp Permittee Guidelines (90 KB, Adobe Acrobat PDF) 

  Download > 2013 Site Reservation Form and Instructions (100 KB, Adobe Acrobat PDF)

Please contact Tiffany Margulici at tmargulici@ebparks.org or (510) 544-2540 for more information or to obtain a permit.

Dog Permit

The East Bay Regional Park District has set up a dog permit program for people who walk more than three dogs at a time in the Regional Parks and for commercial (professional) dog walkers. Commercial dog walkers are required to obtain a permit, regardless of how many dogs they walk at one time (limit of six).

  • Private or Non-Profit Dog Walker (Individual): $25
  • Private or Non-Profit Dog Walker (Household): $40
  • Professional Dog Walker (Annual): $350
  • Supplemental Permit (Annual): $200
  • Duplicate Permit (Requires additional photograph of applicants): $15

To purchase a dog permit, call the Public Safety Department at (510) 690-6508.

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Commercial Film/Photography Permit

Commercial Film/Photography Permits: Used for filming, photography, or videotaping of print ads, commercials, movies, videos, etc. The current fees for a commercial permit are $1,250 for a full day of filming, $750 for a half day, or $165 per hour.
  1. Individual/Portrait Photography Permits: The fee for individual/portrait photography permits is $100. The permit is good for 12 months from the issue date.
  2. Student Permits: A fee waiver may be requested for student photography permits. Fee waivers are granted at the discretion of the AGM of Public Affairs and/or Film Coordinator.

Film fees are subject to change. Additional fees for any of the above may be considered for parking, reservations and park staff time. Liability insurance is required for all permits.

To apply for a film permit, download the Commercial Film/Photography Permit Application and return completed application with the fee to East Bay Regional Park District, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA  94605, Attn: Brenda Montano, Film Coordinator. Email bmontano@ebparks.org or Fax: (510) 635-3478. Invoices and W-9 forms can be requested to be issued if required for payment.

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Fishing Access Permit

A California Fishing license is required for anglers, (16+ years of age), to fish all eligible  inland waters, (lakes, ponds and reservoirs) of the East Bay Regional Park District.

An EBRPD Fishing Access Permit, (daily or annual) is required for anglers 16+ years of age at the following lakes/reservoirs: Del Valle, Contra Loma, Lake Chabot, (Alameda Co.);  Shadow Cliffs, Temescal, Don Castro, and at Horseshoe and Rainbow lakes in Quarry Lakes.  A Fishing Access Permit is not required to fish the following lakes/reservoirs: Cull Canyon; Jordan Pond in Garin; Lake Anza in Tilden; Shinn Pond on Alameda Creek Trail; or at several District unnamed ponds.

Daily Fishing Permit

A daily fishing access permit, ($5/day), can be purchased at most of the park entry kiosks or from dispensers found at many of the fishing lakes.

Annual Fishing Permit

Through the Regional Parks Foundation's Membership Program, an annual EBRPD Fishing Permit can be purchased for both residents and non-residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Residents of Alameda/Contra Costa Counties (2010) Non-Residents of Alameda/Contra Costa Counties (2010)
Regular Fishing Permit: $255 per person
Senior, Person with Disabilities, Full-time Student Fishing Permit: $120 per person		 Fishing Permit (all categories): $350 per permit

If you wish to buy an annual Fishing Permit, please email us at membership@ebparks.org or visit any Regional Park with fishing access. You may also visit our Park District Headquarters at 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605 or phone the Membership Department at (510) 544-2203 or 2214. Temporary annual Park District Permits are not issued. State fishing license is still required for individuals 16 years or older.

Return to main Fishing page.

Inflatable / Interactive Play Equipment - Rules and Regulations

"Jumpers," "Bounce Houses," or inflatable play equipment are allowed in certain locations with a daily permit. Restrictions apply. Click here for additional information and forms: Additional information and forms... 

Special Event Permit Information

Special event permits are required for events such as walkathons, organized trainings, athletic competitions, festivals or other activities which may go beyond the scope of normal park use, or which require partial or exclusive use of a park or area within a park. To receive a special event application, please email the Reservations Supervisor at specialeventpermit@ebparks.org or call (510) 544-2540. Applications are not available online. To request an application, please include your event date, location and a short description of your request.

Application timeline: Your Permit Application must be submitted a minimum of 31 days prior to the event. New or unusual events may require up to 90 days plus Board approval.  You may make a reservation for a special event up to one year in advance. You are encouraged to start planning as early as possible to be sure that your date and location are available and that your application has enough time to be processed. Your application is complete only when the Reservations Department has received your completed application packet with all necessary signatures and proof of insurance, and all fees applicable have been paid.  Your event may be cancelled if your application is not complete 15 days prior to the event.

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Metal Detector Permit

A permit is required to use a metal detector in the Regional Parks. Use of metal detectors is limited to beach areas, lawns, and other developed park areas. Metal detecting is NOT allowed in natural parkland areas, wilderness areas, or regional preserves. There are other restrictions. For more information, and to obtain a permit, please call the Reservations Department at 1-888-327-2757, option 2. This $20 permit is good for 2 years and is non-refundable.

Parking Permit

Daily parking permits are available at each parks parking entrance kiosk. Annual unlimited day-use parking is available as a one of the many benefits of becoming a Regional Parks Foundation member. More Foundation Information.

Other Permits (including EBMUD Trail Use Permit)