I have a question about

General

Does my event need a Special Events permit?

If your event will have 50 people or more, please use this Special Event wizard to determine if you need to submit an application.

What is the deadline for submitting a Special Events application?

An event’s designated tier determines which set of deadlines to follow. Use this interactive tier tool to provide an initial assessment of your event: Event Tier Tool. For questions or to confirm your event tier status, please email Special Events. 

Applications for events submitted after their tier timeline or before 365 days from event start date are subject to denial.  

How can I determine my event’s Tier level?

You can use this interactive tier tool to provide an initial assessment of your event: Event Tier Tool. For questions or to confirm your event tier status, please email Special Events.

I want to have a neighborhood block party, how do I apply?

A neighborhood block party requires a different application than a Special Event: 

A Neighborhood Block Party IS:  

  • Open to all residents 
  • A single block closure that does not include cross streets   
  • A one-time closure of a residential street 

A block party IS NOT: 

  • An event that includes vendors 
  • An event with alcohol sales   
  • An event street closure request on an arterial or collector street (high-capacity urban road)  
Do I need a Special Event permit for filming?

Most productions will only need a Film permit.  

General requirements and information are available at the Austin Transportation and Public Works Film webpage. 

What are the Special Events Fees?

The list of City of Austin Special Event Fees includes event related fees from all of the departments.

Why am I receiving multiple invoices? 

First, you will receive a Special Event application fee. 

Once paid, affected City departments will review your event for their requirements and inform you of any applicable fees.  

You can find more information about the Office of Special Events in the Event Guide. The list of City of Austin Special Event Fees includes event related fees from all of the departments.  

Where can I find the site plan requirements? 

Please visit Special Event Site Plans for examples and requirements.

Can I host an event downtown?

The City of Austin currently has a moratorium on events downtown within the Downtown Austin Project Coordination Zone. An exception requires a formal request for approval from the Special Events Program Manager and the Transportation and Public Works Director and approval from all the affected businesses and residents in the closure area. 

What is the contact information for the Office of Special Events?

Please email us at Specialevents@austintexas.gov or give us a call at 512-974-1000.

Health and Safety

How do I submit my Health and Safety Review? 
  • You can submit your Health and Safety Review by logging in or creating an account at the online portal My Health Department | APH  for the Austin Public Health Environmental Services Division.  
  • Navigate to Special Event Health & Safety Plan  
  • Submit a new ACE Review  
  • Brings you to the form to fill out for a health and safety review 

Note: All applications can be submitted in person at 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg 1, Austin TX 78754. Office hours for submission are 7:45am to 3:00pm .

How many toilets are required for an event?

One toilet per 50 persons must be provided (recommend at least 5-10% of toilets be ADA compliant) .

Food, Beverages, and Alcohol

How do I submit for temporary food permit(s)?
  • You can submit your Health and Safety Review by logging in or creating an account at the online portal My Health Department | APH  for the Austin Public Health Environmental Services Division.  
  • Navigate to Special Permitting Food Applications  
  • Click Temporary Food Event Application   
  • Submit a new Temporary Food Event Application   
  • Brings you to the form to fill out for temp food permits   
  • Physical permits are issued and must be picked up before the event at the address below.  

Note: All applications can be submitted in person at 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg 1, Austin TX 78754. Office hours for submission are 7:45am to 3:00pm .

When is a temporary food permit needed?
  • The event is open to the public   
  • Advertised event   
  • Allowed to invite members outside an organization, family members, or additional guests   
  • Serving open container food/drinks that need to be warmed or refrigerated (including under tents)  
  • Mobile Food trucks operating in their jurisdiction who want to set up tents or tables used for selling outside the confines of the vehicle to accommodate larger crowds  

Other considerations for food permits:  

  • Each 10x10 tent for food and/or beverages will need a temporary food permit.
  • Alcoholic beverages that are opened or mixed by a bartender or server at a tent will need temporary food permits .
  • Prepackaged food and prepackaged soda or water do NOT need temporary permits (unless they are being opened prior to serving) .
Can I park a Food Truck on the right-of-way (sidewalk, parking space, or street)?

Food trucks can only be parked on the right-of-way with a street event permit. You must submit a Special Event application for your street event permit request to be reviewed.

I want to have alcohol at my event, where can I find more information? 

All licensing for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) goes through their state office. You can find out more at their Frequently Asked Questions page or Temporary Event Authorizations page. You can also reach out to them at EventsAustinRegion@tabc.texas.gov or 512-206-3360.  

For additional City of Austin requirements, please go to the alcohol section of our Event Guide.  

Tents and Propane

I will have tents at my event, are permits required? 

Yes, all tents are subject to AFD review. More information on requirements and permitting at Tents at Events. 

Question: What are the requirements for propane?

All events are subject to site plan approval and fire inspection. No gas-fired (propane, natural gas, etc.), wood-burning, or other open-flame heaters, pits, or other containers are allowed inside tents. 

Effective October 1, 2023, all food trucks (MVUs) equipped with propane, as well as MVUs using electric appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors, will require an inspection from the Austin Fire Department before being allowed to work within Austin city limits. This includes local MVUs as well as MVUs visiting from outside of Austin that are applying for either temporary or annual Mobile Food Vending permits issued by Austin Public Health. MVUs operating without an inspection from the Austin Fire Department will be shut down, and a citation will be issued. Visit the AFD Mobile Vending webpage for more information. 

For more information go to this link: Fire Safety at Events 

Park Events

Will I need a Special Event permit for my event at a park?

Most public events will need to utilize one of the following applications:

Park Only Event Application - Special Request Form Application (PDF)  

  • For example, a public event, fundraiser with food and non-alcoholic beverages.  May NOT include alcohol sales, structures, or tent permits.  ALL public events require insurance.  
  • USE FOR:  Curfew extensions, an event at a typically non-bookable park, or public events with food vending/merchandising    May NOT include alcohol sales, structures, or tent permits.  
  • NOTICE: Special requests require review and processing time in addition to the 14 day cut off booking period for typical picnic or facility rentals.  A lead request time of 4-6 months is strongly suggested.  

Special Events Application, also known as Austin Center for Events (ACE) Application 

  • See the “Event Planning” citywide event application. Our special event section on this page also provides helpful information and sample checklists.  Consult with an event planner PRIOR to applying.  Many parks are booked by annual reoccurring events.   

  • USE FOR: Events which require services/permits for a park AND any one (1) of the following:   

    Public safety personnel/security personnel, medical support services, lake/open water use, use of sidewalks/streets as part of a run/walk route or similar, fire inspections, tents/ canopies, building structures such as stages or platforms, public events where alcohol will be served or sold

     

Which Parks are available for Special Events?

Please review information listed here: Park Event Sites and Partner Sites – list detailing City of Austin Park facilities that may have availability to host a Special Event . Please note: Zilker Park, Auditorium Shores, and Fiesta Gardens each have Event Day limits set by City Council, and there is currently no availability for new events at those park sites.

How do I identify if a property is Parkland?

As a resource, the City of Austin provides the PARD Interactive Map to identify park property within the city boundaries.    

  • Select the stacked squares on the map header to show all layers.   
  • Hiding all “assets” will clearly show park property.   
  • Under “Land”, hide “PARD maintained/Unowned Properties”, to view only Parkland.   
Why do I need to submit insurance?

All public events on Parkland require liability insurance that meets our requirements. These requirements cannot be waived.   

Insurance  - General Liability, Automotive (hired, owned, and non-owned), a waiver of subrogation, 30-day notice of cancellation, and the City of Austin listed as an additional insured. Legal liquor liability insurance will be required for any public events that contain alcohol.    

If I already paid Office of Special Event application and permit fees, why do I still owe PARD?

The Office of Special Events and other departments may charge permitting fees through the AB+C system that are required to be paid in order to receive a permit. These fees are separate from any fees required for having an event on Parkland. PARD uses a separate system, called Webtrac for fees and those fees will be listed in the contract. 

Police/Security

How many officers are required to work an event?

The Special events coordinator will work with the promoter to determine what an adequate number of officers is to keep the event safe while also taking into consideration the budget of the promoter. 

What is the minimum number of hours required to hire an officer?

For events without a vehicle, it is a 3 hour minimum and for events with a patrol vehicle, there is a 4 hour minimum.

Trash and Recycling

Where can I find trash and recycling haulers for my event?

You can go to Licensed Private Hauler for a list of options.

Where can I find the Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan form?

Go to this link: Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan

Transportation

What are the special-event transit service options?

For transit service options please go to the link: CapMetro Rider FAQ 

Or contact CapMetro directly at the GO Line at 512-474-1200 

Amplified Sound

What permits are required for amplified sound?

For more specifications and contact information, go to this link: Outdoor Amplified Sound.

How do I know the category of the musician performing at my event?
  • Category A Performers - Bands/Artists who currently play Stadiums/Arenas/Amphitheaters  
  • Category B Performers - Bands/Artists who currently play Large Clubs/Theaters  
  • Category C Performers - Bands/Artists who currently play Small Clubs  

Temporary Change of Use and Building Occupancy

Can I increase my occupancy load?

Not without a building plan review with Austin Development Services. The Fire Marshal’s Office does not issue occupancy load cards. However, the Fire Marshal’s Office enforces code related to occupancy loads.