When is a Special Event Permit Required?

A special event permit is required for most temporary events with an estimated number of participants and spectators of 75 or more during any day of the event and involves one or more of the following activities on public property or on private property, where otherwise prohibited by law:

1. Closing of a street, not including Block Parties
2. Blocking or restriction of public property
3. Sale of merchandise, food or beverage
4. Erection of a tent 400 square feet or larger
5. Installation of a stage, band shell, trailer, van, portable building or toilet, grands tand, or bleacher for public use
6. Placement of temporary no-parking, directional, over-size or identification signage or banners
7. Use of the City Hall Plaza
8. Block Parties in a residential area are permitted through Street Services, go to our Resource Page.

Applications are required no less than 45 business days prior to the event. Submission of an application under this timeline does not guarantee a permit.

How do I Apply for a Special Event Permit?

Apply online to the Office of Special Events.

If your event is a Walk, Run or Parade, you are required to attach a Route Map upon the submission of your application outlining each street that will be affected. Your application will not be processed without the Route Map.

Special Event Application (click here).

Application Process:

1. Complete the application in its entirety and submit the application with the applicable processing fee no less than 45 business days prior to the event date.  Incomplete applications will not be processed and applications submitted under the 45 business day timeline.
2. A Preliminary permit / Letter will be sent to the applicant outlining the requirements for the event.
3. Upon receipt of the completed application, the Office of Special Events staff forwards a department review sheet to various city departments for final review and approval.
4. According to Dallas City Code, the citywide departments are required to have no less than 10 business days to submit their approval/denial of the permit request.
5. Depending on the type of event, the applicant may be required to obtain additional permits or licenses. Contact information for other permitting agencies is available here.
6. Upon final approval and review by the Special Events Manager, a permit is issued and includes certain conditions and/or restrictions for which the applicant will be responsible to meet.

Exemptions:

A Special Events Permit is not required for events at the Dallas Convention Center, the Farmers Market, or Fair Park, and property under the sole control of the park and recreation board. However, if an event takes place in a park and requires a street closure, a Special Events Permit is required.

Application:

The submission of the Special Event Permit Application must be online and required no less than 45 business days prior to the event date. Applications submitted under this timeline will not be processed.

Office of Special Events
650 S. Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202
214-939-2701 Main
214-939-2709 Fax

To utilize City Hall Plaza, located at 1500 Marilla Street, you must complete the Special Event Permit Application and submit to the Office of Special Events. You may use the City Hall Plaza diagram and attach to your special event permit application as your event site plan.  All diagrams are available here.

Fees:

All processing fees and charges are listed on the application and are due upon receipt of the application to the Office of Special Events.

All fees must be in the form of a Money Order or Check made payable to the Office of Special Events. Credit/Debit Cards are also accepted either by phone or in person at our office.  Permit fees are non-refundable once the application has been submitted. The Application must be submitted no less than 45 days before event. Submission of application does not guarantee permit issuance. Changes to the event information will only be accepted by either the primary contact or emergency contact listed on application. No changes will be made to the permit application within 14 days of scheduled event date and must be made in writing. A $40.00 change fee is assessed for each change made to the application/event during the 45-day processing period. Applications missing information cannot be processed which may delay and/or prevent the actual issuance of this permit.