Special Events Permit

Events on Public Property

If you are planning on using a public place for the purpose of: conducting a special event (wedding, festival, concert, parade, bike race, car show, etc.), organizing a block party, or to sell or serve alcohol, you must obtain a special permit to do so. Unfortunately, most of these permits are referred to as ‘Special Event Permits‘. Read the details about each different type below to determine which of these pertains to your event.

Block Party Permit – defined as a gathering of neighbors to build community – generally a block or two of neighbors gathering to connect and strengthen their community bond. NOTE: Block Party applications must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the event.
Parade, Procession, Protest/March Permit – parades or marches that take place on public right-of-way but DO NOT include blockage or closure of streets or rights-of-way. These are handled by the Longmont Police Department directly. Please complete the Longmont Parade Application at least 4 days prior to the event and submit along with payment to the Longmont Police Department, 225 Kimbark Street.
Use of Public Places for Special Event – If you are planning on using a public place for the purpose of: conducting a special event (wedding, festival, concert, parade, bike race, car show, etc.), you must obtain a permit to do so.
Use of Public Places applications must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the event.

Calendar of Permitted Events

Click on this Calendar Link to see a calendar view of all events on public property that have been permitted by the City Clerk’s Office. Note: This calendar only displays APPROVED events and does not show event applications that are under review.

Special Events on Public Property and UOPP Permit

Is a permit required for my event?

A Special Event permit is required when any of the following activities are conducted on public property:

A temporary event or promotion that uses a barricade, booth, table, rack, structure or cart or other display equipment (anything larger than a 12′ x 12′ pop up canopy)
An event on public property to which the public is invited or admission is charged
An occasion in which a group of persons collectively engaged in a sport or form of physical exercise which obstructs, delays or interferes with the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic and controls, including, but not limited to, bicycle and foot races
Any event selling or serving alcohol on public property (additional permit fees apply)

How to Apply & Pay

Navigate to the City’s new online Special Event application portal
Create an account by clicking on the green ‘create’ button
Login
Create your Special Event Permit Application at least 45 days prior to your event by responding to the prompts and providing requested information and documentation.
Note that ALL applications must provide the following in order to obtain a permit:
- Certificate of Insurance with Combined Single Limit of $1,000,000, must name the City of Longmont as Additional Insured
  - If serving/selling alcohol, the insurance certificate must include Liquor Liability
  - The correct address for the Certificate Holder must read: City of Longmont, 350 Kimbark St., Longmont CO 80501
  - Must be acquired before an event and maintained throughout the duration of the event, including set-up and dismantle periods.
  - If you don’t currently have insurance, you can obtain affordable one-time policies from the providers listed below. Please note, these companies are provided as a resource and are not endorsed by the City of Longmont. You may select any provider that meets the city’s insurance requirements.
    - Site Plan/Diagram and Route/Course Maps (if applicable)
      - Must be detailed diagrams that show the components of the event, major cross streets, location of all aspects of the event, entry and exit locations, etc.
    - Traffic Control Plans created by a Traffic Engineer or Traffic Control Company (for events with street closures)
    - Proof of park reservation for any park or shelter. Call Recreation Services to reserve the park prior to applying for your permit to ensure. Call 303-651-8404 or find self-service information online.
    - Proof of permission to use non-City owned property for your event (if applicable)
City Clerk’s Staff will review your online application and send you a PayPal invoice to pay the application fees:
- $50 for all Use of Public Places Special Event Permit Applications
- Additional $50 for all applications including alcohol sales or service in their event
  - Events with alcohol that are not by invitation only are also required to obtain a Liquor Special Event Permit. This is an additional cost and the process requires you to apply at least 45 days prior to your event.

For questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 303-651-8649.

Liquor Special Event Permits allow qualified non-profit entities or political candidates to sell, serve, or distribute alcohol beverages for on-premise consumption only in connection with fund raising events. Applicants must demonstrate possession of the premises at which the event will be held. If the event will be held on public property (i.e. in a City park), a Use of Public Places for Special Event permit (see above) must be obtained in addition to reserving the park through Recreation Services. Sandwiches or snack foods must be made available during all hours of liquor service.

A special event permit may be issued to an organization which:

has been incorporated under the laws of this state for purposes of social, fraternal, patriotic, political, or athletic nature, and not for pecuniary gain, or
is a regularly chartered branch, lodge, or chapter of a national organization or society organized for such purposes and being nonprofit in nature, or
is a regularly established religious or philanthropic institution, or
to any political candidate who has filed the necessary reports and statements with the secretary of state pursuant to article 45 of title 1, C.R.S.
municipality owning an arts facility

The special event permit holder may obtain a maximum of 15 Special Events Permits per calendar year. Each permit is valid for one day only. An event lasting between one and five days may be applied for on one application but each day counts toward the maximum of fifteen total days per year. The Local Licensing Authority does not permit that different single day events be applied for on a single application form as each event is unique and must be addressed individually.

How to Apply for a Liquor Special Event Permit:

Please submit your complete Application for a Liquor Special Event Permit 60 days prior to your event. You are welcome to submit it even earlier if you like.
The City Clerk’s staff may not provide you legal advice regarding your application.
The applicant is required to post the Notice Poster at the location of the event and complete and return a notarized affidavit and photos of the posting to the City Clerk’s Office. City Clerk staff will prepare the poster, notify the applicant when to pick it up, and indicate the deadline to post in order to meet statutory requirements. Failure to complete this notification process as outlined by City Clerk staff may result in denial of the application.
A representative of the organization may be required to attend a hearing and respond to any questions the Authority may have regarding the event, the layout, and liquor service management and logistics. The Deputy City Clerk will notify the applicant of the hearing date.
The Local Licensing Authority meetings are at 2 pm on the fourth Thursday of the month in Courtroom A of the Safety & Justice Center, 225 Kimbark St., Longmont, unless otherwise scheduled.
For questions about this application or the process, please contact the City Clerk’s Office, 350 Kimbark St. or 303-651-8649.

Event Sponsorship Policy and Request

Event Sponsorship Policy

The City of Longmont provides sponsorship to certain public events with City Council’s approval. The City Sponsored Events Policy outlines which events are sponsored by the City of Longmont and the level of sponsorship.

Event Sponsorship Request

Event organizers may request sponsorship from the Longmont City Council by filling out the Special Event Sponsorship Request Form and submitting it to:

Longmont City Clerk’s Office, city.clerk@longmontcolorado.gov

Longmont City Clerk,350 Kimbark St., Longmont, CO 80501.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for approval. Organizers cannot rely on Council sponsorship and are encouraged to make their facility reservations and start their Use of Public Places (UOPP) application at the same time as sponsorship is requested.

Special Events on Private Property

Events on Private Property

Events being conducted on private property may need to obtain a Temporary Use Special Event Permit through the Planning & Development Services Department. This permit is meant to ensure public safety and to help minimize public nuisances or dangers caused by events on private property.

Events on private property with alcohol service or sales to the public must be permitted by the Local Licensing Authority. Contact the City Clerk’s Office for information.

Events on private property must comply with City code and, in particular, with noise code. There is permit for excessive noise.