See Road Events or Block Parties for events occurring on a road or sidewalk.
For food trucks and other mobile businesses, see Mobile Food Vending.
Permits are typically not required for Garage Sales.
Types of Permits
Two types of permits may apply to special events:
- Development permits ensure zoning approval is provided for activities to occur in appropriate locations
Building permits ensure structures are designed and built to be safe
Events not requiring permits must still comply with the Zoning Bylaw and Safety Codes Act. All events must:
- Plan for appropriate lighting and waste management practices
- Return the site to its original condition
Permit Application Timelines
Permit applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the event start date.
Development Permit
Development permits ensures zoning approval is provided for activities to occur in appropriate locations.
Events on Private Property
A development permit is not required when events are less than 7 consecutive days or 7 cumulative calendar days in the calendar year. Time required for set up and take down are not considered part of the event.
For example: A weekly market held for more than 5 weeks will require a development permit.
Events on Public Property
Special events on non-roadway public property such as parks, plazas or squares typically do not require a development permit.
Events occurring in parks may require a parkland licence. Complete the Application Form Selection Tool to be assigned to a City staff person who will help you understand which permits and licences are required.
Building Permit
Building permits ensure structures are designed and built to be safe.
Building Permit Exemption
If your event meets the criteria below, you do not need to submit an application for permit review:
- Your event is one day in length. Time required for set up and take down are not considered part of the event
- No custom-built structures (example: custom-built tents, stages, bleachers)
- No high-occupant-load facilities (large contained open spaces such as a beer gardens)
- No plumbing, gas or electrical connections
- Tents and canopies that:
- Cover less than 60 square metres (645 square feet) in total area
- Are spaced at least 3 metres (10 feet) from other structures
- Have fire retardant fabric label
- Are not used for cooking
Examples of tent arrangements that do not require building permit review:
- six 10’ x 10’ tents
- two 15’ x 15 tents
- one 20’ x 30’ tent
- one 25’ x 25’ tent
Building Permit Application
If your event does not meet the criteria above, submit an application to enable City staff to determine if a permit is required.
A building permit may not be required based on a number of factors including: number, type and arrangement of structures, service connections, anticipated number of guests and overall complexity of your site.
Permits will not be issued for structures not governed by the building code such as bouncy castles or other inflatable play structures, trampolines, slides, rope courses, and climbing walls. Approvals may be required from AEDARSA and safety protocols should always be followed.
Plumbing and gas permit exemption:
- Residential-style barbecue with a 20 pound tank. No cooking in tents is allowed.
- Cooking is all in self-contained food trucks.
- No space heating or gas-fired water heating is being operated.
- Food truck is an inspected, self-contained unit. Learn more at Mobile Food Vending.
Electrical permit exemption:
- Small generator using less than 7500 watts, not requiring wheels to move, with cords plugged in directly.
Submit Your Application
| General special event | $400 |
| Carnival | See Business Licence Fees |
Trades Permits Inspection Fees
Trades permit inspection fees are explained in the Planning and Development Fee Schedules.
Overtime inspection fees may be charged for inspections conducted outside business hours.
Fire Rescue Services Fees
Events on Public Property:
- Complete the Application Form Selection Tool to start your event planning. The City staff assigned to liaise with your event will help you understand how to apply for permits
Events on Private Property:
- Bring completed documents listed under application requirements to the Edmonton Service Centre
Application Requirements:
- Combined Development and Building Permit Application Form for Special Events
- Site plan
- Any applicable design drawings and manufacturer specification documents
Design drawings requirements:
- Prepared by a person skillful in technical drawing, draftsperson, or professional
- Minimum scale: 1/8"=1'- 0" or 1:100; Preferred scale: 3/16"=1'- 0” or 1:75
- Metric or imperial units are accepted. Please use units consistently
After You Apply
City staff will review your application to ensure your proposal complies with the Zoning Bylaw and applicable Safety Codes.
Application processing times vary. Ensure your application is complete to reduce processing delays.
Changes to your submitted application may be subject to additional fees.
To make changes after your application has been submitted Contact Us.
To request inspections call:
- Building: Contact the Safety Codes Officer on your permit
- Plumbing and gas: 780-496-3117
- Electrical: 780-496-6674
You can also call 311 for service support.
Tips
- Share the project number listed on your building permit with trades subcontractors who can then claim the trade permits pre-paid with the application
- Coordinate closely with the trades subcontractors to ensure work is ready for inspection
- Carefully review your permit conditions to understand when inspections are required. Depending on the scale, complexity and context of your event, a fire inspector may conduct a joint inspection with the building inspector
Visit Commercial Inspections for more information.
Contact Us
Events on Public Property
Phone In Edmonton: 311 | Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 | TTY: 780-944-5555
Link Contact Us Online