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Event Permit Application

  1. Event Permit Application
Finance

City Hall

144 Tichenor Ave, Suite 5

LaTrice Mose

LaTrice Mose

Revenue Manager

Thank you for your interest in planning a special event within the City of Auburn. We are proud to host a variety of special events that contribute to the social, economic and environmental health and well-being of our community. Please consider reading over our Special Event FAQs below before submitting your special event permit application for review. Please note, the special event permit application does not grant approval, but places your event for consideration.

Apply for a Special Event Permit Application by logging into your Auburn Permit Portal account. If you don't have an account, create a new one. To create a new special event permit, select 'Create New Application', 'New Permit' and select 'Special Event Permit.'

Special Event FAQ

What is a special event?

  • A special event is any activity occurring upon public or private property that affects the ordinary use of parks, public streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks or buildings, and it may feature entertainment, amusements, food and non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages.

How far in advance should I apply for a special event permit?

  • Event organizers may submit a special event permit application request up to 10 months prior to the proposed event date and no later than 90 days prior to the event. It is suggested that event organizers submit complete applications to reduce any delays in the review process.

Who needs to apply for a special event permit?

  • A special event permit is required for all planned and promoted activities conducted on public property that meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • When the expected number of participants and spectators totals 50 or more people
    • When using tents, structures and/or sound amplification
    • When preparing, providing, selling or distributing food and/or alcohol to the public
    • When selling merchandise to the public
    • When using public right of ways (e.g. city streets, multi-use paths and sidewalks) and/or impacting vehicle, bike or pedestrian traffic
    • When the number of vehicles or participants will impact the normal flow of traffic

My event will be held on private property. Do I need a special event permit?

  • No, event organizers only need to obtain a special event permit if the event impacts public areas such as streets, sidewalks, etc. For more information about hiring security for your private event, please contact the Auburn Police Department at 334-501-3150.

My event will take place on an Auburn Parks and Recreation property (e.g., park, field or facility.) Who should I contact?

  • For events taking place on an Auburn Parks & Recreation athletic field, facility or park, the event space MUST be reserved through Parks and Recreation BEFORE submitting the special event permit application. Create your reservation. Charges may apply.

My event will take place on Auburn University property. Who should I contact?

  • For any events taking place on or touching Auburn University property, event organizers must submit an event request through Auburn University, in addition to submitting the City of Auburn special event permit application. Submit your Auburn University event request. Auburn University’s event policy as of Jan. 10, 2025, requires the requestor be a student, faculty or staff member of Auburn University. All others must find a campus sponsor to submit the event request. Questions related to Auburn University events may be directed to 334-740-9496. Charges may apply.

How do I apply for a special event permit?

  • After developing an event concept, submit an special event permit application via the Permit Portal.  Submitting the application does not reserve, hold or guarantee dates or venues, nor imply any approval of the proposed concept or event.

Do I need a special event permit for a public demonstration?

  • Applications for public demonstrations should be submitted at least five business days prior to the proposed event date. Exceptions will be made if the proposed demonstration is a spontaneously planned event in response to a recent, current event.

What should a complete special event application include?

  • Incomplete applications are subject to delays during the review process. A complete special event permit application must include a clearly defined event concept for all planned and promoted activities, including, but not limited to:
    • proposed site and/or route maps
    • proposed locations of all tents, structures and/or fencing
    • proposed plan and supporting documents for all booths and/or vendors
    • proposed plan and supporting documents for all food and/or alcohol
    • all proposed operational dates and times

Is there an application fee?

  • Submitting a special event permit application is free; however, facility fees may vary by event, location, staffing and services provided.

Do I need to submit a site map or event layout with my application?

  • Yes! A detailed site map of your event location should be uploaded during your application process. Your site map should include as much detail as possible, including but not limited to:
    • Location of all available parking areas
    • Event routes, if applicable
    • Location of any structures such as stages, booths, tents, portajohns, etc.
    • Location of generators, if applicable
    • Emergency vehicle access
    • Location of nearest fire hydrants
    • Labeling of public streets
    • Requested street or sidewalk closures

When does my event need to be approved by City Council?

  • Auburn City Council approval is required for all planned and promoted activities conducted on public property that meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • When the event requires a street closure lasting more than one hour
    • When the event serves alcohol
  • The Auburn City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the City Council Chamber at 141 N. Ross St. The council meets to review its upcoming agenda the Thursday before each regular meeting at 4 p.m. Please allow a minimum of 90 days for the City of Auburn to present your request to the Auburn City Council.

Are there restrictions on where a special event may be held?

  • Yes, special events are only permitted in the following zoning districts: Comprehensive Development District (CDD), Commercial Conservation (CC), Redevelopment District (RDD), University Services (US), Urban Core (UC), and Rural (R). If you have any concerns about the zoning of your area, please visit auburnalabama.org/maps to view the City zoning.

What are the guidelines for setting up tents, stages or other temporary structures?

  • Any events including scaffolding, bleachers, platforms, stages, tents or similar structures should detail the plans in the special events permit application. The City of Auburn Inspection Services Department will review the design plans with consideration for location, discipline, duration and ADA compliance. Any corrections required of the requestor by Inspection Services must be re-evaluated prior to the scheduled event date.

Are there restrictions on fireworks or other pyrotechnics?

  • Approval must be granted through the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Auburn Fire Department. Both fireworks and pyrotechnic license applications can be found at www.firemarshal.alabama.gov. The Auburn Fire Department will provide its approval or denial during the special event permit application review process.

Are there restrictions on using drones during my event?

  • All small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operations must adhere to the regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in CFR 14 Part 107. The City of Auburn is not the approving authority for sUAS operations but will ensure the security and well and being of all individuals potentially impacted. Review FAA restrictions here.

Can alcohol be served or sold at the event?

  • To sell alcohol at your event,
    1. Secure your City of Auburn business license.
    2. Submit an alcoholic beverage license application to the State of Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board.
    3. The ABC Board will forward your application to the City of Auburn for consideration by Auburn City Council.
    4. Following consideration by Auburn City Council, the City of Auburn will notify the ABC Board of the applicant’s approval or denial.
  • Please note, a business must be in good standing with the City of Auburn (no past due taxes or license fees) for an ABC application to be considered by City Council. It is suggested event organizers submit their event permit application no later than 90 days prior to the event to allow sufficient time to present the request to City Council.

Can I sell tickets to our special event?

  • Yes. The requestor will be required to remit 9% sales tax of all ticket sales to the City of Auburn.

Can merchandise be sold at our special event?

Do I need to rent portable toilets for our event?

  • The City will consider factors such as the event duration, public restroom availability, food and beverage availability and number of peak event attendance to determine whether the event organizer will be required to rent portable toilets. The City of Auburn recommends one toilet per 100 participants, with at least 10% being ADA-compliant (minimum of one accessible toilet required). This number is based on peak attendance.

Do I need additional permits for vendors?

  • The City may require your vendors to obtain a City of Auburn business license prior to commencing business activity. A health permit issued by the Lee County Health Department is required for all businesses preparing food. A City of Auburn alcoholic beverage license is required for all vendors selling beer, wine or alcohol of any kind. A liquor license must first be obtained through the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. Find more information about City of Auburn business licensing here.

How do I request a street closure for my event?

  • During the application process, select ‘Yes’ when asked, “Will this event require road closures or traffic direction?” You will be asked to provide a map with street closure information if you do not upload it with your initial permit application. Please be mindful that the more complete your application is upon submission, the faster it may be processed by our special events team.

Do I need to provide a traffic control plan or hire off-duty police officers?

  • Upon the submission of your special event permit application, a member of the Auburn Police Department will review your request. The requestor may be required to hire off-duty officers for the purpose of traffic direction and/or security. The requestor will be responsible for applicable expenses.

Will the City provide barricades, signage or other traffic control equipment?

  • If your special event requires traffic control as deemed by the Auburn Police Department, the equipment will be provided by the City. The requestor will be responsible for labor expenses associated the set up and break down of the equipment.

Does the City provide trash and recycling services for special events?

  • Auburn Environmental Services is available to manage litter, encourage recycling and event clean up. The needs of these services will be evaluated based on factors such as expected attendance, location of the event, number of vendors, etc. The requestor will be responsible for applicable expenses.

Can I request access to electricity or water on City property?

  • Access to electrical receptacles and water hookups may be requested during the application process. The needs of these services will be evaluated by the special events committee. The requestor will be responsible for applicable expenses.

Am I responsible for cleanup after the event?

  • Yes. The City encourages litter-free events, as they reduce clean-up costs and foster good habits for people to appropriately dispose of the waste they create. Needs for trash and recycling receptacles, litter removal and street sweepers will be evaluated by the special events committee. The requestor will be responsible for applicable expenses.

Will my permit approval be delayed if I submit an incomplete application?

  • Permit approvals may be delayed due to late submissions and/or incomplete applications.

Will I be notified if additional information or documentation is needed?

  • Yes! The requestor will receive an email notification any time a Special Events Committee representative submits any follow up communications to the special event permit application on the Permit Portal. Log in to your permit portal account to view the comments and/or submit your reply.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule my event?

  • Please update your special event permit request in the Permit Portal. Please note an alternative date may not be available due to limited availability and/or resources.

Can I make changes to my permit after it has been approved?

  • Should changes need to be made, please update your special event permit with your request(s) in the Permit Portal. Doing so does not guarantee nor imply any approval of the proposed request(s).

What happens if my application is denied?

  • The requestor reserves the right to re-apply via the Permit Portal.

Contacts

City of Auburn Special Events Committee Email us at [email protected]
ABC Board (334) 213-6300
Alabama Fire Marshal (334) 241-4166
Auburn University Campus Events (334) 740-9496
Federal Aviation Administration 844-359-6982
Lee County Health Department (334) 745-5765

If your event requires additional staff and or other charges and/or your event incurs additional charges without notice, the City reserves the right to invoice the applicant for these charges.