Special Events Ordinance

Special Events Ordinance and Administrative Rules Development

City Council adopted the special events ordinance on May 10, 2018. The modified proposed SEO rules were adopted on February 25, 2019. Austin Center for Events (ACE) began processing event applications under the new ordinance on April 1, 2019. 

• Adopted Special Events Ordinance
• Special Events Ordinance Rules

Proposed Rule Change:

The Development Services Department proposes to adopt Rule Change 161-23.12 after April 4, 2023. Details of the change can be found in the Notice of Proposed Rule Change: 161-23.12 ^(PDF).  Any comments must be submitted by April 4, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Rules Changes:

• Adopted rules, including staff response to public comments (Feb. 2019)
• Notice of Decision on Appeal of Adopted Rules (Apr. 2019)

Questions? Contact us: specialevents@austintexas.gov, 512-974-1000.

Special Events Task Force

The Special Events Task Force consists of 11 voting members and 13 ex officio members comprised of the city departments that participate in the Austin Center for Events. The mission of the task force is to assess the efficacy of Ordinance No. 20180510-018, the associated rules, and Austin Center for Events (ACE) processes. The Special Events Task Force concluded its work in October 2022 with the generation of a final report with recommendations to Council for improvements to the Special Events Ordinance.