Special Events Ordinance

Update: City Council adopted the Special Events Ordinance — renamed the Outdoor Events Ordinance — at its Aug. 3 meeting.

The Special Events Advisory Committee — made up of Fort Worth residents, neighborhood activists and stakeholders who organize and manage special events — formulated new special events policies and practices adopted by City Council.

View the adopted ordinance (No. 19255-08-2010). 

About the ordinance

The regulations, which have been adopted by City Council, apply to any outdoor gathering on public or private property that attracts more than 500 attendees, requires a street to be closed, sells food or beverages, or uses tents, stages, bleachers, fireworks, open flames or portable toilets. It would also apply to parades, neighborhood events requiring the use of city streets, events in parks and some First Amendment activity.

The new regulations are effective Oct. 1.

Events conducted entirely on the property of a church, educational institution, college or university campus, or on property containing an occupied residence are exempt. Additionally, events per contracts with the City or at City-owned facilities and at the Texas Motor Speedway are exempt.

Event organizers are required to apply to the City by a date certain in order to attend two committees — the Events Calendar Committee and the Pre-Event Committee — and must provide notice to surrounding property owners. The two committees are in charge of scheduling events, reviewing event plans and applications. The Events Calendar Committee includes City staff and representatives from Sundance Square, Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the Cultural District and the Stockyards. The Pre-Event Committee includes representatives from The T, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. A designated employee from the City’s Public Events Department will serve as the special events manager to coordinate the process.

A separate committee is studying fees associated with special event permits and will make a recommendation to the City Council at a later date.

For more information on event and parade insurance, visit the TPW Street Permit Center page.

Public Events Bulletin

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