STEP 1: Check on site availability (if applicable).
Identify a location: When requesting to use a Salt Lake City park, square or plaza, city road, or sidewalk to hold a special event, we recommend verifying availability by emailing us at eventpermits@slcgov.com or calling 801-972-7815 as there may be other activities occurring at the location on your requested date.
Once the Special Event Permit Application has been submitted and you reserve a verification email that your application has been accepted the proposed date(s) will automatically be placed on hold from future applications requesting that date. All locations, dates, and times are subject to change. Reservations are pending until final approval has been granted and the conditions of the permit have been completed by the applicant.
NOTE: If you are holding an event completely on private property, but want to serve alcohol, you do NOT need a special event permit. Instead you will need a DABS permit from the state and local consent from Salt Lake City Business Licensing. Contact Salt Lake City Business Licensing by email business.license@slcgov.com or visit their website).
STEP 2: Submit a completed Special Event Permit Application.
The Special Event Permitting Office recommends submitting applications 3 to 6 MONTHS prior to the event setup date. Based on the size and scope of your activity. The more attendees and setup, the more time you should give yourself. This is to allow adequate time to check and find an available time, date, location for your requested event. As well as allow time for the various City Departments and outside agencies to review the details of the permit request and make their recommendations/requirements. Then time for you (the applicant) to complete the listed requirements in order to receive the final permit.
Note: For first time event organizers and/or applicants: even seemingly small events have lots of elements involved, not only for permitting but from a logistics stand point outside our requirements. Allowing for as much time is extremely valuable. Apply as early in your event planning process.
The EARLIEST a special event permit application can be submitted is 364 days prior to the requested event date.
The LATEST a special event permit application can be submitted is NO later than 30 DAYS prior to the requested event date.
Alcohol: If you are requesting to serve alcohol at your activity, you should submit a special event permit to our office no later than 60 days prior to the event date. This is based on The Department of Alcoholic Beverages Services (DABS) timeline to receive a final permit from their office. Feel free to contact us for more information, eventpermits@slcgov.com .
Due to a high volume of permit requests, it may take 3-7 business days for the Special Events Permit Office to process your application. Applications must be turned in with a detailed site/course route map before the review process begins. The site/course route map should clearly include all of the following that may be applicable to your event: proposed road closures, barricade plan, food vendors, portable toilets, tables, tents, fencing, stages and special requests.
STEP 3: Complete your list of requirements.
Once your application has been submitted through our online portal, we send you a verification email from our office instructing you to move forward with the listed requirements. All requirements are based on the scale and scope of you activity. For example, the more attendees you plan on having at your activity, will increase the amount of requirements. Serving alcohol or not. Using a roadway for your event. Requirements may include, but not limited coordination or additional permits with: Parks Department, Waste and Recycling , SLCPD, SLC Fire, SLC Transportation, Salt Lake County Health Department, DABS, Real Estate Services, etc.)
These requirements and instructions on how to complete them can be found on our permitting profile, here . Follow the link, click on the “sign in” icon at the top right corner of the webpage. After signing in, select on your profile, then under “my projects” select the current application you are working on. That will take you to the list of requirements you need to complete in order to receive a final permit.
Once all items have been completed, you can email eventPermits@slcgov.com or 801-972-7815 to review your completed items and receive their final approval.
STEP 4: Make payment.
Once all items are complete and the special event permitting staff as given final approval. You will receive an email notifying you to pay the processing fee and any other amounts associated with your request. Once payment is made through the online portal, your permit will automatically be issued. Payment may be made with all major credit cards, debit cards, or check by request.
Permit Processing Fee Amounts:
Special Event Permit: $137.00
Film Permit: $137.00
Demonstration Permit: $7.00
Block Party Permit: $0.00
STEP 5: A Final Permit is issued.
Please have either a digital or physical copy of your Final Permit on-site at your event at all times.
If your activity is held without a Final Permit, you can risk all future permit requests as well as potentially being charged with a Class B Misdemeanor.
AGREEMENT: By signing and submitting the Salt Lake City Corp. Special Event Permit Application, applicant
is held responsible for all information, requirements, and disclaimers found within these instructions.
COST RECOVERY: Be aware that you could incur costs for any services provided beyond “basic city
services.” An Estimate of Cost Recovery form will be provided to you before the event. A permit will not be
issued until the cost of the estimate has been paid or security is posted. Additional city services could include,
but are not limited to, police services, park cleanup, and/or extraneous administrative work because of
changes after application submittal. Final Accounting will be settled after your event and could result in a
refund or additional invoice.
MARKETING MATERIAL: The City will not be responsible for those printed materials, promotional items, etc.
if dates, locations, and/or other requested services are denied, amended, or changed during the permit
process.
INSURANCE INSTRUCTIONS: Depending on the size of your event, you may be required to possess or
obtain special event commercial general liability insurance. We will include insurance information on your
Conditional Checklist if it is required. The insurance policy must protect Salt Lake City Corporation, the applicant, and anyone directly or indirectly
employed by either. The insurance must provide coverage for premises operations, acts of independent
contractors, and completed operations during the event time period. The event time period must be sufficient to
cover the entirety of the event from set up to clean up. The coverage must be indicated on the certificate of
insurance as “Special Event” coverage in the “Description of Operations” or the insurance company must
supply the City with the original insurance policy evidencing the “Special Event” coverage. Always include the
event name, date, and location in the description block. Evidence of the required insurance must be
provided to Salt Lake City no less than (14) days before the event set up date. The event permit will be
cancelled if the City does not receive such evidence by that deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to see
that their insurance company/agent receives the proper insurance instructions and forwards the proper
evidence of insurance to the City by the deadline.
Insurance Requirements:
1. Minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $2,000,000 general aggregate, equaling a total
aggregate of $3,000,000.
2. The insurance must be issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the state of Utah
and either: (a) currently rated A- or better by A.M. Best Company; or (b) listed in the United States
Treasury Department’s current Listing of Approved Sureties (Department Circular 570), as amended.
3. The policy or endorsement must name as an additional insured the applicant, Salt Lake City
Corporation and its officers, employees, and agents, and any other public entity involved in the event.
The date and title of the event must be clearly stated.
4. If any work for the event is subcontracted to a separate company, the applicant must require the
subcontractor to provide special event commercial general liability insurance with the City as an
additional insured, in the required minimum amounts.
5. The certificate and policy must provide that coverage shall not be canceled or modified without
providing 30 days prior written notice (10 days in the case of failure to pay premiums) to the City in a
manner approved by the City Attorney.
Please contact the Special Event Permit office at eventpermits@slcgov.com or 801-972-7815 for all additional questions.
If you are ready to proceed with the Special Event Permit application, click here