Special Event Permit at Pismo State Beach- Cal Poly Rodeo
Summary
SCH Number
2025091042
Public Agency
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Document Title
Special Event Permit at Pismo State Beach- Cal Poly Rodeo
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/23/2025
Document Description
This project authorizes the temporary use of Pismo State Beach (PSB) for the Break-A-Wave Rodeo occurring the evenings of September 24 and 25, 2025. This special two-day event is produced by Cal Poly Rodeo in partnership with Outriders Present and is expected to attract an estimated 2000 attendees alongside 150 persons associated with the event (security, vendors, State Park staff, rodeo production, and participants). The event will occur mid-week and includes breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, and unique specialty acts in a temporary arena with spectator seating, fencing, ticketing, and security measures. The event footprint is entirely within a publicly accessible and developed recreational area and will consist primarily of:
Temporary fencing and staging on the beach near Grand Avenue beach entrance and within the PSB dirt parking lot area (~6-7 acres); Use of Grand Avenue and Pier Avenue for ticketed vehicle access including an estimated 700 cars entering at Pier Avenue Kiosk and 300 cars entering Grand Avenue Kiosk; Installation of bleachers, portable restrooms/chemical toilets, wash stations, AV/sound equipment, food, drink, and partner vendor(s), and production trailers on the beach adjacent to Grand Ave in an area approximately one acre; Daily staffing from State Parks Rangers, Lifeguards, Natural Resources, Maintenance and Planning during set-up and rodeo activities to ensure compliance, public safety, natural resource monitoring, traffic management, and sanitation; Amplified music and announcements will occur during the event using speakers directed towards the ocean with decibel levels consistent with local and state noise ordinances and/or permitted conditions; and an offsite traffic management plan is being coordinated between CHP, SLO County Sherriff, Grover Beach Police Department, and State Parks. See attached NOE for additional information and monitoring conditions that will be in place for this special event.
Contact Information
Name
Roger Jacobs
Agency Name
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Job Title
Sr. Park and Recreation Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Grand Avenue, Grover Beach, CA
Zip
93433
Total Acres
6-7
State Highways
CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 11 (Section 15311), Class 23 (Section 15323)
Reasons for Exemption
The event qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Class 11 Accessory Structures (Section 15311) which consists of placement of temporary use items such as on-premise signs, portable restrooms, and fencing. Class 23 Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings (Section 15323) also applies, which consists of temporary special events at established facilities with negligible environmental impact.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.