Section 1

Special Events Permits

Who must apply for a Special Event Permit to host a festival or event in Louisville Metro?

Anyone who plans to host a festival or event in Louisville Metro that will:

• be held on or affect Louisville Metro streets, sidewalks or property;
• require Louisville Metro services beyond those the city provides its citizens under ordinary, everyday circumstances; and/or
• have features that require issuing of one or more additional licenses or permits (fire works, alcoholic beverages, food sales, street closings, tents over 200 square feet, etc.) must file an application for a Special Event Permit with Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division and pay the required fees for that permit.

What type of festivals and events require a Special Event Permit? How much is the fee?

Major Festival or Event: $50 if a maximum peak attendance of 5,000 or more people is expected

Medium-Size Festival or Event: $25 if a maximum peak attendance of 500 to 5,000 people is expected

Small Event / Block Party: $25 if a maximum peak attendance of 500 or fewer people is expected

Parade / Walk / Run / Race / Public Gathering: $25

What is the process for applying for a Special Event Permit?

Anyone who plans to host a Special Event (as defined above) in Louisville Metro must complete and submit a Special Event Permit application to Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division.

For further information, contact:
Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations Department
Permits and Licenses Division
444 S. Fifth Street, Suite 101
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-3321
(502) 574-5245 fax

www.louisvilleky.gov/ipl

Contact IPL

Customer Service Representatives are available to assist applicants by phone or at Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division's office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding official Louisville Metro holidays.

Depending on an event's type, size and particular features, the Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division may require an applicant to apply for additional permits and licenses, and to submit event maps, proof of insurance and other information before a Special Event Permit can be issued.

All applications for a Special Event Permit must be submitted to Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division at least 90 days prior to an event.

Special Event Permit applications must be legible, printed or typed or completed in ink, not pencil.

All Special Event Permit applications must be accompanied by a check (made payable to "Louisville Metro Finance Department") for the appropriate application fee (see list of Special Event classifications and appropriate permit fees).

Application fees are non-refundable and are forfeited if an event is cancelled or if a Special Event Permit application is denied.

Prior to issuing a Special Event Permit, the Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division will forward copies of completed applications to appropriate Louisville Metro departments and other agencies for their review and approval:

Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division (if additional city or state permits or licenses are required)

Louisville Metro Fire Department
Louisville Metro Police Department
Louisville Metro Public Works Department
Solid Waste Management
Risk Management

and, if appropriate:

Emergency Medical Services
Facilities Management, General Services Administration
PARC (Parking Authority of River City)
TARC (Transit Authority of River City)
Louisville Metro Parks
Waterfront Development Corporation

No application for a Special Event Permit will be processed nor will a permit be issued unless the "Hold Harmless Clause" in the Special Event Permit Application is signed by a duly-authorized agent of the event.

Once a completed Special Event Permit application is submitted by an event producer, all appropriate departments and agencies must review and approve it. Once all fees, maps, permits, licenses, certificates of insurance and other required information are received from an applicant, the Codes and Regulations Department/Permits and Licenses Division will issue a permit for that event.