Special Events - Private Property

Special event shall mean an organized or planned assembly of persons having a common purpose, design, or goal, that is to occur on city-owned or city-controlled property, or private property that has an overt impact on the services that are regularly provided by the city, such as but not limited to health, fire, police, traffic, building code, parking, or sanitation.

Special events include, but are not limited to, festivals, fundraisers, exhibitions, musical performances, races, parades, walks/runs, athletic event, weddings/celebrations, fairs, large group feeding as defined in this section 78-151, and markets, that have one (1) or more of the following conditions:

(1) Requires street closings or detours such that the usual flow of pedestrians or vehicular traffic is inhibited; or

(2) Will require parking for attendees in excess of the authorized parking available at the event site, except as excepted in this ordinance; or

(3) Will impact the usual flow of vehicular traffic by the use of a valet or otherwise; or

(4) Utilizes city property above normal usage; or

(5) Are intended to or likely to attract groups of 25 or more people; or

(6) May be gated or fenced, and for which tickets may be sold; or

(7) Are unlike the customary or usual activities generally associated with the property use, building use, or business use; or

(8) Requires the use of city resources, financial or otherwise, in excess of the city's normal day to day operations; or

(9) Any additional criteria addressing public health, safety, or general welfare, based on the specific circumstances, as deemed by the mayor.

You will need the completed Private Property Special Event application form, a site map of the event site, and a parking plan.

The site map is an overhead view of the property/area of the event, and should include any tents with dimensions as well as stages, portable bathrooms, temporary electric, and/or generators.

The parking plan can be a site plan showing where attendees of the event will park, or an authorization letter from the property owner allowing parking. You will need to show that there is enough parking available for the number of expected attendees.

If your special event is utilizing tents larger than 10x10, or a portable generator or signs/banners or a stage, separate building permits will be required.

If your event will have alcohol, you will need to apply for a temporary alcohol license with the State agency Alcohol, Beverage, and Tobacco (ABT). Prior to submitting your application to ABT you will need to obtain Zoning sign-off on the application from the City's Zoning department.

Please apply for your Private Property Special Event application at least 4-6 weeks prior to your event to allow for enough time for plan review and approval. 

You will need two permit applications - a Private Property Special Event application for your event though the Building division of Development Services, and then also a separate Special Event permit from the City's Community Events division (of the Parks & Recreation department) for that part of your event that is being held on City property, which includes the Right-of-Way such as sidewalks and the street/roadway.

If your event is on City or Public Property please contact Community Events in our Parks & Recreation Department at 561-822-1515 or email myevent@wpb.org.

If your special event is on private property in the City of West Palm Beach, please complete our Private Property Special Event Application (found on our Forms & Documents page) and apply online in our Civic Access portal. 

Any additional building permits required - temporary tents, generators, signs/banners, etc., can also be applied for online in our Civic Access portal with our Building Permit Application form. 

Please apply for your Private Property Special Event application at least 4-6 weeks prior to your event to allow for enough time for plan review and approval.