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1. Who can I contact for help?

Phone: 919-560-4355 ext. 27501 

Email: specialevents@durhamnc.gov 

400 Cleveland Street 

Durham, NC 27701 

2. Do I need to submit a City special event permit application for my event?

If your outdoor event requires the temporary closure of a City street or sidewalk, you must obtain a special event permit from the City of Durham.

3. When is my application due?

Permit applications are due either 60 BUSINESS or 15 BUSINESS days before the event. 

If you can answer "yes" to any of the event characteristics below, your application is due 60 days before the event. 

If you cannot answer "yes" to any of the event characteristics below, your application is due 15 days before the event. 

• My event has over 500 expected attendees or more than 100 pre-registered participants expected 
• My event will request the use of City services such as trash, security, tent inspections, police, etc. 
• My event will sell or serve alcohol 
• My event will sell food 
• My event will sell food from more than three food trucks registered with the City of Durham 
• My event is requesting street closures in Downtown Durham 
• My event will have professional sound equipment used for amplification (anything larger than a home stereo)

4. What supporting information do I need before beginning my special event permit application?

While not required, it is highly recommended to have the following forms and permits submitted (if applicable): 

• Durham Parks and Recreation facility rental application and fee (If using a DPR facility)
• ABC Permit (If serving or selling alcohol)
• Special Event Trash and Recycling Cart Request Form and Fee (If requesting City trash receptacles)

5. How do I hold an event within a facility owned and maintained by the Durham Parks and Recreation?

Availability is subject to the schedules of preexisting programs, events, classes, and other activities. 

Those interested in hosting a special event in a DPR facility must apply and reserve the facility or space through DPR directly (See Rentals | Durham Parks & Recreation)

The application fee and damage deposit must be paid in full. For more information, contact reservations@durhamnc.gov or (919) 560-4355, ext. 27202. 

Please note that for some events in DPR outdoor spaces, a special event permit may be required. The purpose of the DPR rental agreement is solely to permit to use the designated space or facility. 

Please keep in mind that DPR outdoor spaces (ex: trails, fields, and shelters) are public spaces and in some cases must remain open to the general public; therefore, the rental agreement does not guarantee exclusive use of those spaces.  

6. How do I obtain an ABC permit to sell alcohol at my event, and how long does it take to get one?

To obtain an ABC permit, please contact Officer Wilkinson, Durham Police Department, 919-560-4322, ext 29173 or Andrew.Wilkinson@durhamnc.gov 

Once an application is turned in, it takes about 3-4 weeks to obtain a permit. 

7. When do I need security or police presence at my event?

The need for security and other police services will be determined and enforced by the City of Durham Police Department for all events. (Depending on the size and nature of the event, police services may include security, traffic control, parking direction, route layout, etc.) 

For events on public property at which any type of alcohol will be served, Event Coordinators are required to hire off-duty law enforcement officers (e.g., Durham Police Department officers, Durham County Sheriff’s deputies, etc.) as event security. If you choose to hire Durham Police Department officers for your event, you are responsible for contacting the City of Durham Police Department Secondary Employment Coordinator at (919) 560-4322, ext. 29183 to schedule the officers for your event. Fees are due by cash or check within 15 days of the event. More information is available on the City’s website at https://durhamnc.gov/190/Secondary-Employment-Information. 

In the event of cancellation, it is the Event Coordinator's responsibility to cancel event security 72 hours prior to the event. Failure to do so will result in the Event Coordinator being responsible for full payment to the security officers at the Police Department's established minimum rate. 

8. How do I request to use City trash receptacles?

If the Event Coordinator wishes to use waste receptacles provided by the City, a Cart Request must be submitted 30 days prior to the event.  

Event coordinators should visit Special Events Cart Information and Request Form for general information and to fill out the request form. Information on the number of carts recommended and the associated fees are found in the Special Event Guidelines document.

Questions? Contact the Solid Waste Department at (919) 560-4186.

9. What is the SERT and why am I being asked to attend their meeting?

The SERT is the Special Events Review Team. Large-scale, complex, or new events may be subject to additional review by the SERT before their event permit is approved. 

The goal of the SERT is to assist the event organizer in ensuring that they have considered or acted on all necessary processes, applications, and components necessary to put on a successful event. The SERT is not a governing body and their goal is not to deny your application. 

10. How do I register or operate a food truck in the City?

Durham's Office of Economic and Workforce Development has put together a guide to walk you through the process of registering and operating a food truck within City limits. You can find the guide at this link.