Overview
The City encourages special events for the greater good, cultural diversity and promotion of the City. Some gatherings and organized activities may place unique demands on public resources or pose a potential danger to public health, safety and welfare. In order to plan for these demands and ensure safety, it is necessary that the City receive advance notice of these events.
A Special Event Permit is a written authorization from the City to hold an event. This permit is necessary when an event involves one or more of the following activities:
- Closing a public street
- Blocking city owned property
- Sale of merchandise or food/beverages on city owned property
- Erecting a tent larger than 200 square feet on city owned property
- Installation of a stage , trailer or other portable buildings on city owned property
- Placement of portable toilets, temporary no-parking signs or pedestrian boundary markers on city owned property
Examples
Examples of special events requiring permits include, but are not limited to:
- parades
- bike races
- marathons/runs
- fireworks displays
- concerts
- carnivals and other types of festivals that use city owned property or rights of way.
Examples of events that DO NOT require Special Events Permits include:
- parties
- fund raisers, and other events held on private property.
Other ordinances, such as regulations for noise, debris, parking and others, must be observed.
About the Special Event Applications
A Special Event Permit Preliminary Application is necessary to begin the planning process in cooperation with city services such as police, fire, streets and risk management. The Preliminary application may be filed as much as 365 days prior to the event, but DOES NOT secure your date on the special events calendar. The following Special Events Procedure/Checklist will help in planning for your event.
A Special Event Permit Final Application must be completed at least 30 days before the event in order to assure time for city processing. Some information in this application was included in the Preliminary application making this step easier. A non-refundable application fee and the fees for city services are due with the filing of the Final permit application. This application secures the time of the event as well as the site on the special event calendar
Quick Links
The following rules and forms may apply to your event, depending upon the activities:
- Preliminary Special Event Application Permit
- Special Event Permit Final Application
- Procedures
- Insurance Requirements
- Tents, Canopies, General Cooking, Fire and Safety
- City Park Rules
- Temporary Sign Rules and Application
- Noise Waiver Permit
- Special Events Ordinance (full)
Please call (512) 930-5370 or write to specialevents@georgetown.org for questions related to special events permits or visit us at 300-I Industrial Avenue.
