Any outdoor gatherings on private property (that attracts more than 500 attendees) and all events on public property that require lanes and/or streets to be closed, sells food or beverages, or uses tents, stages, bleachers, fireworks, open flames or portable toilets require an Outdoor Events permit from the City’s Office of Outdoor Events. The rules also apply to parades or neighborhood events requiring the use of city streets, and some First Amendment activity.
Events conducted entirely on the property of a church, educational institution, college or university campus, or on property containing an occupied residence, are exempt. Also, events per contracts with the City or at City-owned facilities and at the Texas Motor Speedway are exempt.
Event organizers are required to apply to the city within a lead time based on event size and purpose in order to obtain approval, be placed on the city’s Event Calendar, attend the Pre-Event Committee Meeting and provide notice to surrounding property owners. Two committees are in charge of scheduling events and reviewing event plans and applications. The Event Calendar Committee includes city staff and representatives from Sundance Square, Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the Cultural District, Fort Worth South, Chambers of Commerce and the Stockyards. The Pre-Event Committee includes city staff and representatives from Trinity Metro, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and various stakeholders. A designated employee from the city’s Public Events Department will serve as special events manager to coordinate the process.
Please carefully read the guidelines for document submission deadlines specifically for Neighborhood Events and Parades, Large Outdoor Events and Parades, and First Amendment activity. A flat-rate permit fee of $300 is required, which helps offset administrative costs associated with the implementation of the outdoor events ordinance, permitting review and approval process. However, no permit fees will be charged for First Amendment events.