Special event applications now being accepted in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Without special events or the ability for large groups to gather in South Lake Tahoe due to the pandemic, a move by City Council Tuesday allows things to get closer to normal.

The Council voted unanimously to have staff proceed with accepting event applications and issue special event permits in accordance with current California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines. The City's Parks and Recreation Director Lauren Thomaselli told Council she has been fielding a lot of inquires for events.

When the guidelines change, staff can change the allowable uses of City-owned spaces and not wait for another City Council meeting to get the change approved.

Due to an overall reduction in positive cases and community spread of COVID-19, El Dorado County moved to the orange tier on April 7. In this tier, outdoor events including performances with live audiences may proceed with certain restrictions including either a permanent and fixed facility or a defined and demarcated outdoor area, fixed and assigned seating with 6 feet of physical distance between household groups, ability to control ingress and egress of visitors, occupancy limits, the in-state audience only, advanced ticket reservations required, food and drink concessions required to be delivered to the audience in their seats, and face coverings required.

Special Event permits will be issued based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate compliance with the current CDPH guidelines see those guidelines here).

There are additional CDPH guidelines for private gatherings, youth and adult athletic events, and other activities that involve public gatherings. Applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines before applying to city staff. For more details on special events go here.

The annual Come Up For Air (CUFA) soccer tournament returns to South Lake Tahoe in 2021 with a summer tournament June 10-20 and two fall tournaments - Boys September 11-12 and girls September 18-19. Those events are not permitted through the City and held on fields around the south shore.

Live At Lakeview is one of the more popular events held on City property during the summer. Promoters have not yet revealed their plans.

The City aims to open to in-person meetings around June 15 if protocols are met which includes partitions and more televisions in the lobby.