Hosting Events on Your Farm

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Introduction 

In general, there are 3 types of permits for farm events. If you would like to host an event outside those hours, serve alcohol, or play amplified music, you will need additional permits. All permits require that agriculture remains the primary use of the parcel and that all events are secondary to your operation. Check with Permit Sonoma for more information. 

Periodic Special Events Permit 

If you plan on hosting a single or multi-day event on your farm, you may need a Special Events Permit from Permit Sonoma! This permit covers pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms, as long as they do not exceed 4 events over 2 years. You will need to file separate permits for events that are 30 days apart. 

Once your Special Events permit is issued, you may still need to meet additional requirements (food safety, noise ordinances, fire safety, etc.). Use the Special Event permitting page for more information on what permits or licenses you need to apply for.   

You do not need a special event permit from Permit Sonoma if: 

Small Farm Retail Sales Facility 

Small Farm Retail Sales Facility permits allow for events, such as tours and other educational programming, on a regular basis during the allowed hours of operation (10am - 6pm). If you would like to host events outside these hours, you will need a Special Events permit or a Use permit. 

Food sampling is allowed, but it is limited to fresh produce and pre-packaged processed foods grown on site. No other food service is allowed. If you would like to serve other types of food products, you will need additional permitting. 

Use Permit 

For on-going events, including farm-to-table dinners, weddings, or corporate retreats, you will need a Use permit. While some existing operations can continue under current permits, future modifications or expansions may require Use permits. Use permits are commonly needed for farms operating outside of standard hours of operation or involving alcohol sales. Contact Permit Sonoma for more details on how to apply for a Use permit, as the application process varies. 

Serving food 

If you plan on serving any type of food on your farm (including free samples), you will need a permit from Environmental Health. The type of permit you apply for will depend on your planned activities.  

Check out our page on Food Processing on the Farm for information on what additional permits you may need. 

If you have a Small Scale Retail Farm Facility permit, you are allowed to sample fresh produce and pre-packaged food grown on-site. Any other food service requires additional permits. 

If you want to sell meals on your farm, you have 3 options: 

If you are hosting an event and plan on having 2 or more food vendors, you will need to apply for a Community Event Organizer Permit and ensure all your vendors submit their Temporary Food Facility permit. 

Serving alcohol 

In the majority of cases, serving alcohol on your farm requires a Winery or other Use permit. 

If you have a Retail Food Facility permit and produce alcoholic beverage products with crops from your farm, you can sell sealed containers. 

If you would like to serve alcohol for an event and plan on having it catered, you can find a vendor with a Caterer’s Permit from California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). 

If you are offering samples of products from your farm at a community event, you will need a Temporary Food Facility permit from Environmental Health and follow their sampling guidelines. 

Last updated summer 2026