How to Submit a Zero Waste Plan for Community Events

As part of the community event permitting process, all events must submit a completed Zero Waste Plan to the Resource Recovery & Recycling Division for approval. Community events play a vital role in the City achieving its zero waste goals. The Zero Waste Plan intends to aid event organizers in reducing waste, being in compliance with local and state laws, and obtaining the proper level of service for the event.

If you plan to use a public space for your next event, the Community Services Department is where to find information to understand the City's whole permitting process. In addition to receiving approval from the Resource Recovery & Recycling Division, you may be required to obtain permits from other departments as well.

Requirements for Events

  • Zero Waste Plan – Community event permit applications must include a Zero Waste Plan to be considered complete, please follow the instructions below to submit the plan.
  • Sufficient Service – Events must subscribe to sufficient recycling, composting, and trash service through a City approved private hauler or city service. Organizers run the risk of losing their deposit if trash is found throughout the venue after an event. 
  • Containers – Waste receptacles throughout the event collecting recycling (blue), compost (green), and trash (black) must be the proper colors and have signage denoting the items that are accepted.
  • Disposable Food Service Ware – Events that will be selling or providing food or beverages must follow the Santa Monica’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance.
  • Food Donation – Events with over 2,000 attendees per day that charge an admission price or are operated by a local agency are required to recover surplus edible food.
  • Refundable Deposit - Depending on the size and type of event the City of Santa Monica may require a refundable deposit to cover any unexpected fees due to cleanup or damage. This is required for both events using City services or private haulers. Deposit may not be required at some City venues that collect a deposit already (such as the Peir and Barker Hanger). See the fee table below.

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Continue the Process:

  1. Review the Event Zero Waste Plan form

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    Before getting started review our Event Zero Waste Plan form for resources on how to make your event more zero waste and the requirements you will need to meet.

  2. Choose a waste hauler

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    Event organizers must subscribe to sufficient recycling, composting, and trash service through a private hauler or city service. Please note that any event with an anticipated 1,500 attendees or more cannot be serviced by the City of Santa Monica. Organizers will need to choose a private hauler.

    Review the documents linked below to choose which waste hauler is best suited for your event:

    If you plan to use the City as your hauler you must organize the service and payment 2 weeks prior to your event. Please email r3permittedevents@santamonica.gov at least 3 weeks before your event to inquire about event hauling services.

    If you plan to use a private hauler, make sure you get some form of documentation of the level of service they are providing.




  3. Complete the Zero Waste Plan and submit

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    Complete the Zero Waste Plan and email the form and required attachments to r3permittedevents@santamonica.gov. Depending on the size, location, and type of event organizers may be asked to provide additional information.

  4. Payment

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    All applicable fees must be paid before receiving approval for the Zero Waste Plan. 

  5. Complete the refund form

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    Return of integrated waste management deposit must be requested in writing by completing the Customer Refund Request Form within 30 days of your event. 

    All refunds will be returned via original method of payment. If the deposit was paid via check, refunds will be made out to the name of the party on the original payment and mailed to the address listed on the check unless otherwise indicate. If the deposit was paid via credit card, the refund will be issued to that credit card.

    Please send the completed form to r3permittedevents@santamonica.gov

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