Special Event Permit Application

Instructions and Guidelines

• The event must not "unreasonably interfere with the normal activities of surrounding residents, businesses, or institutions."
• In particular, noise levels, and vehicular and pedestrian traffic must not rise to levels having an adverse effect on surrounding residents, businesses, institutions, streets or walkways.
• Public agencies must be capable of providing adequate security, crowd control, and fire prevention and control for the event.
• Liability Insurance must be obtained as determined by the City Government Administration. The City of Durham requires liability insurance for all special events on City-owned, controlled, or maintained property. Other permits must be secured as appropriate.

Within two (2) days following the submission of an application, the APPLICANT MUST:

Survey any residents, businesses, or churches that may be affected by the event.

Formulate plans for use and removal of props, debris clean up, first aid, and provision of toilet facilities.

Obtain a temporary food or drink permit from the Durham County Health Department if food or drinks will be sold. Environmental Health Division (919) 560-7800.

To make arrangements/or hire police officers for traffic control, parking direction, route layout, etc, contact the Durham Police Department, Off. Alesha Robinson-Taylor at (919) 560-4322, ext. 29183.

Obtain the appropriate permit from the Collector of Revenue Office if financial contributions will be solicited. (919) 560-4700.

Obtain permit (s) from Durham Fire Department if tents or canopies are being used, (919) 560-4242. (Tent permit is required if any one single tent is over 200 sq. ft.)

Contact the Department of City Government Administration insurance specialist for purchasing an additional coverage insurance certificate naming the City of Durham as additional insured.

Risk Management (919) 560-4182.

Contact the City’s Sign Shop - to reserve barricades and/or cones to block streets. Joe Hall (919) 560-4375.

Park shelters, CCB Plaza and the plaza at the Civic Center - Reservations, (919) 560-4355.

In those cases where the applicant must await notification as to the requirements involved, such as security and/or insurance, the applicant will be given two (2) days from the date of notification.