In February 2026, City Council adopted the Petaluma Fairgrounds Free Speech and Free Expression Zones Guidelines.

The City of Petaluma supports free speech and peaceful expression at the Petaluma Fairgrounds (175 Fairgrounds Drive). Like many fairgrounds and large event venues, because the Fairgrounds operates as an event-oriented venue, the City uses designated Free Expression Zones during Events to help protect access, emergency response, and safe operations, while providing reasonable opportunities for expression.

These guidelines do not regulate speech on public streets, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way adjacent to the Fairgrounds.

Where can I engage in free speech activities?

Free Expression Zones are located on-site and outside any paid gate. The City does not open the paid-gate area for general public expressive activity. During Events, the City directs organized expressive activity to the Free Expression Zones.

Where are the Free Expression Zones located?

Zones are placed in visible, high-traffic areas. The default Free Expression Zones are shown below:

Participation within Free Expression Zones

Zones may be occupied no earlier than one hour before an event and no later than 30 minutes after the event closes (unless different times are posted for a particular Event). Please claim your spot within one hour after the event start time, or it may be reassigned. All equipment must be removed daily.

Community Resources Showcase (inside paid gate)

The City may operate a City-curated “Community Resources Showcase” inside a paid gate as City-sponsored informational programming. Participation (if any) is by City invitation, and the Showcase does not replace the Free Expression Zones outside the paid gate.

For particular Events or site conditions, the City may temporarily modify zone locations based on documented operational and safety needs (for example: emergency access, pedestrian/vehicle flow, accessibility, construction/maintenance, or event layout), while leaving open reasonable alternative channels for expression.

How do I request space in a Free Expression Zone?

Registration is not required to participate in a Free Expression Zone. Large Groups (more than 10 affiliated persons engaging in coordinated free speech activity) are encouraged to register.

Submit your form by email, fax, or in person to:

City of Petaluma – Parks and Recreation

320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954

Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Email: fair@cityofpetaluma.org | Phone: (707) 778-4380

Applications may be submitted up to 30 days in advance; submitting at least 48 hours in advance is encouraged when feasible.

Registration

Registration is not required for smaller groups or for spontaneous expression, but early registration may help with zone preference and planning. Registration is not a permit and is not used to review or approve the content of speech. Registration is for space planning and sharing the rules; it is not used to review or approve the content of speech.

• First-come, first-served. Requests may be submitted up to 30 days in advance; submitting at least 48 hours in advance is encouraged when feasible.

• Registration is voluntary and not a precondition to engaging in protected speech, except in limited circumstances where advance coordination is necessary to prevent substantial obstruction or address a substantial and imminent public safety risk that cannot reasonably be addressed through less restrictive means.

• If spontaneous expression results in more people than the zone can safely accommodate, the City will make reasonable efforts to identify additional space or adjust zones in real time, consistent with safety and operations.

For questions about the Petaluma Free Expression Zones Guidelines please contact fair@cityofpetaluma.org