Carefully review the application rules and checklist. 

A Special Event Permit does not negate the additional requirements of obtaining the proper Health, Alcoholic Beverage, Tent, Park, Vendor, Sales and Amusement Ride Permits for an outdoor event. You will be responsible to contact the relevant agencies for other specific permits and/or licenses. A Special Event Permit is revocable.

Instructions: (Please read all instructions before setting up your account)

• Register an account or Log-in
• Make sure the application is complete before you submit it as you cannot go back to correct it once submitted.
• You can save the application as a draft (save often) to continue later when returning to your account and then submit it.
• You can always return to your account and continue to upload the required documents even after the submittal.
• An application for a Special Event Permit is deemed complete when you have provided all the information required by the Special Events Coordinator, including any additional information required by other City departments.
• During processing, you will receive up to three emails unless more information is required. There will be one email for review (Citywide), one email for agendas (Mayor and City Council) and one email for approval (issued permit).
• A permit will not be issued until all requested/required documents are uploaded into the system portal.
• Call (918) 576-5636, if you have questions or need assistance, or email the Special Events Coordinator. 

Major Event shall mean any outdoor Special Event organized and conducted that utilizes Public Rights-of-Way (streets, alleys, sidewalks). This includes using private property in conjunction with public property. The Major Event permit fee assessed shall be Two Hundred Forty Two Dollars ($242 plus system fees). This fee is nonrefundable. 

Minor Event shall mean any outdoor Special Event organized and conducted that utilizes solely private property. The Minor Event permit fee assessed shall be Eighty Dollars ($80 plus system fees). This fee is nonrefundable. 

Monthly Event shall mean any outdoor Special Event organized and conducted that utilizes public or private property for a recurring event and/or closure at the same location on multiple dates in the same calendar month, if no changes are made to the Site Plan and/or Traffic Control Plan. The Monthly Event permit fee assessed shall be governed by whether it is a Major Event or Minor Event.

• The Following Activities are Exempt from the Special Event Permit Requirement:
  (1) Funeral processions by a licensed mortuary;
  (2) Activities conducted by governmental agency acting within the scope of its authority;
  (3) Lawful demonstration or picketing on sidewalks;
  (4) Demonstrations that do not involve the use of a street, vehicles, animals, fireworks, pyrotechnics or equipment (other than sound equipment);
  (5) Activities held inside a building or facility intended for such activities, unless occupancy or other factors require a Special Event Building Permit;
  (6) Activities conducted entirely within City of Tulsa public parks;
  (7) Neighborhood block parties conducted on a one-block residential street.
• Although not required to obtain a Special Event Permit, an event organizer of an exempted activity is nevertheless required to comply with general regulations governing public safety and health. This includes not blocking access to buildings and parking lots and should allow pedestrians to pass.
• People participating in events or demonstrations do not have permission to trespass private property. Electronic or written permission from the owner to utilize private property is recommended.

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CITY SERVICE FEES: View any potential cost recovery fees for police, fire, and/or other city services, online.

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In most cases, issuance of a Special Event Permit will serve as your approval to use amplified sound within your event venue as outlined in your permit application.

1. Unreasonably loud noise at any time of day or night (including music) is a violation of City Ordinance.
2. A police officer that determines noise from your event is unreasonably disturbing to others may require you to lower the noise even though you have a permit allowing such use.
3. Generally, sound (music) levels should not exceed 90 decibels 15 feet from the source.
4. Information on City of Tulsa Ordinances is available online.

To better protect the rights and interests granted to Special Event Permit holders, to rationally regulate Special Events that have an impact upon public property, private property, facilities and City of Tulsa services, to manage traffic flow and parking, and to allow for emergency ingress/egress, there must be either a two (2) hour or two (2) block separation between Special Event venues that are requesting the same date, timeline and/or location. The 2-hour separation starts at the end of an event teardown to the start of another event set-up. The 2-block separation must allow for two-way traffic between the event venues, routes or courses. Event organizers may mutually agree to coordinate with each other without the 2-hour or 2-block separation but must be able to implement suitable detours, traffic control and allow reasonable access to businesses, facilities and residents including emergency ingress/egress and follow recommendations made by the Special Events Committee.

At the City of Tulsa, we honor your Constitutional rights, such as the Freedom of Speech, Assembly, and Expression found in the First Amendment.

It is the City’s responsibility to protect your rights as you have a right to gather in public and express yourself. However, those rights are subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions which balance the rights and responsibilities of everyone as well as the City’s other responsibilities to maintain public safety and other uses of public rights of way.

A special event permit is not always required to host a peaceful and lawful demonstration - but in some cases, a permit is required. There are three types of demonstrations that do not require a special event permit:

• You do not need a special event permit if you host your demonstration entirely within a city park, county park, river park, or private park (may require a park permit) and do not use a street, vehicles, animals, fireworks, or equipment (other than sound equipment.)
• You do not need a special event permit if you host your demonstration using only sidewalks and do not block access to buildings, parking lots, or the free passage of non-demonstrators or anti-demonstrators, and do not use vehicles, animals, fireworks, or equipment (other than sound equipment.)
• You do not need a special event permit if you host your demonstration entirely on private property with permission of the owner of that property and do not use vehicles, animals, fireworks, or equipment (other than sound equipment.)

If you want to use any portion of the street or parking space, or fully block or reserve any sidewalk, you will need to obtain a special event permit.

If your demonstration is a spontaneous response to a current event, and you seek to use, close, or occupy a street or fully close sidewalks, you must obtain a special event permit. You may apply at any time prior to the demonstration, but you must allow two business days for processing.

Application fees for non-exempt demonstrations may be waived by the City Council.

The City of Tulsa does not have the authority to grant access to a highway or interstate for a demonstration, and any application for a permit to do so will be denied.

By getting a special event permit, you can make sure your event is safe for everyone. It allows the Tulsa Police Department to close roads and provide security, if needed, in the area around your event. It also protects your rights and interests by ensuring there are no other conflicting events in the area of your demonstration.

Read more about the City of Tulsa’s demonstration regulations and policies.

Remember, special events are unique. A special event permit provides benefits to the citizens by creating unique venues for expression and entertainment that are generally not offered as a part of governmental services.

Currently, there is no permit for recreational use of a Drone within the City limits; however, all FAA regulations must be followed. Use of Drones for Film Productions and Special Events are incorporated into those respective permits. Please review these Best Management Practices. In terms of safe operation, the most important factors are that the craft is flown in a space that is clear of bystanders, under 400 feet, and not within two miles of restricted airspace. Anyone that is on the ground under the craft should be involved with the operation of the craft or be made aware of the risk. Please register your Drone and send a copy of the license to the Special Events Coordinator.  

If you are selling, serving, or giving away anything consumable such as food or beverages including beer, wine, or spirits at your event, you may need a Food Service Permit. Please contact the Tulsa Health Department Food Protection Services at (918) 595-4300. For information go to www.tulsa-health.org. If applicable, food temporary licenses will be issued on-site. 

Applicant shall furnish the City of Tulsa, at least fifteen (15) business days in advance of the occupancy time of the permit, venue, escort, or road closure, whichever comes first, a certificate showing there is in force a general liability insurance policy with a bodily injury and property damage combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence. Applicant shall include product liability insurance coverage in equal liability limits ($175,000 per individual and $1,000,000 per multiple individuals as the result of and single occurrence or accident) when concession sales are approved during the event. The applicant must be the named insured and the City of Tulsa must be named as an Additional Insured on the policies. The insurance company must be a company duly licensed to do business in the State of Oklahoma and listed in the Oklahoma 96th Annual Report and Directory of Insurance and Related Companies. The policy shall also provide for a minimum of thirty (30) days mandatory written notice to the City of Tulsa, in the event of cancellation or material alteration of the limits of the policy. Policies that show the City of Tulsa as an additional insured must include language to that effect in the Description Box. The name and date of the event must also be stated in the Description Box. Certificate of Insurance.

 If you are organizing a daytime neighborhood block party involving a one-block residential street, you will need to complete a Planning and Neighborhoods application online thirty (30) days prior to the actual date of the block party. Our neighborhood liaisons will assist neighborhood block party organizers with the procedures how to access barricades, traffic control signage and other information.

If you are selling and/or serving beer, wine or spirits (liquor) at your event, you must obtain a Public, Charitable or Special Event License from the Oklahoma ABLE Commission. In addition, provide plans to the City of Tulsa for outdoor beer, wine or spirits license premise enforcement prior to your event. Please contact the Oklahoma ABLE Commission at (405) 521-3484. The Public Event License is available online and requires submittal of the application sixty (60) days prior to the event. Take your ABLE License and Tax Commission Permit to City Hall to obtain your City of Tulsa Alcohol License. For requirements related to food or beverage sales at events, contact the Tulsa Health Department at (918) 595-4366. If applicable, food temporary licenses will be issued on-site. 

1. If your event is open to the public or is a private event in a venue location where spirits consumption is prohibited except with a special event permit, the City of Tulsa prohibits the consumption of spirits outside of a controlled space, commonly referred to as a "beer garden". Beer and wine may be consumed in public. 
2. An event venue is an area that has been closed (e.g. street, sidewalk or parking lot) per a City of Tulsa Special Event Permit for the purpose of consumption of beer, wine, spirits and/or food and to provide space for bands, stages, tents, tables, inflatables and vendors, etc.
3. A designated licensed premise is an area of outdoor enforcement and is essential to prevent guests from leaving the licensed area with beer, wine, and/or spirits (liquor) or bringing such outside alcoholic beverages into the licensed area. The event organizer is responsible and liable for how they control their guests but there are no mandates or requirements on how to control such area. Depending upon the venue, Best Management Practices (BMP) may be fencing with adequate lighted and signage entrances and exits constructed with material or in a manner that prevents beer, wine, and/or spirits (liquor) from being taken outside the licensed area or brought into the licensed area [e.g., six-foot (6') free standing chain link fence, crowd control barriers referred to as bicycle racks, tents, entrance and exit archways with overhead signage, lighting, trash receptacles, security, and staff, etc.].
4. A designated bar area is an area within the designated licensed premise for the purpose of sales and service of spirits. A designated bar area must be constructed with material or in a manner that separate guests of a legal drinking age from those who are not [e.g. roping, tent, including overhead signage (No One Under 21 Allowed Beyond this Point), staff, etc.]
5. If you have a mixed beverage and catering license for your establishment, your ABLE Public Event License and COT Alcoholic Beverage license allows guests to take beer, wine, and spirits (liquor) in and out of your establishment adjacent to the closed street (i.e., licensed premise). 

 If you are placing any entertainment inflatables (i.e. amusement ride, inflatable, climbing wall, etc.) on public property, private property, or parking lot, you will need a Certificate of Operation and provide the City of Tulsa with the contact information. The Oklahoma Amusement Directory link provided here. The link to the Amusement Ride Program page here. Please contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor at (405) 521-6100. For information go to www.labor.ok.gov.

 If any type of sales will take place at your event, this includes food trucks and item vendors, the Promotor/Organizer must provide the following documentation online prior to your event being approved:

1. Submit a list of all vendors at the event including business name, contact name, address, telephone number, and STS number. | Download Form
2. Oklahoma Permit Vendors. Vendors must display copies of their sales tax permits at the event.
3. Vendors with no Oklahoma Sales Tax Permit. Vendors are not required to have Oklahoma Sales Tax permits, but the Promoter/Organizer must obtain a special event sales tax permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) and must submit a copy of the permit to the City of Tulsa.
4. To obtain a special event sales tax permit:
   1. Go to: oktap.tax.ok.gov
   2. Under “Businesses” select link “Register Special Event Promoter”
   3. If you need additional help with registering, you may call or email the OTC Special Event Department at their contact information provided below:
      1. OTC Special Events
         (405) 522-6273
         specialevents@tax.ok.gov

 If you are utilizing a City Park for your event, you will need a Park Permit. Please complete an online form. For River Parks, contact (918) 596-2001 and for County Parks (LaFortune, Chandler) contact (918) 596-5990.

You must provide portable restroom facilities at your event unless you can substantiate the sufficient availability of both accessible and non-accessible facilities in the immediate area of the event site that will be available to the public during your event (e.g., two chemical or portable toilets for every 250 people). Ten percent (10%) of restroom facilities must meet local, state, and federal accessibility requirements. No less than one (1) accessible restroom should be placed in each location designated for restrooms facilities and located on a level area not to exceed a 2% cross-slope in any direction. If a single restroom unit is placed in a location, it must be accessible. An accessible route to each portable restroom must be provided. The number of portable toilets can be determined based on your estimated peak time attendance. Your local portable sanitation service contractor's experience will help you in planning properly for any event.

The person responsible for a community special event should provide recycling containers throughout the venue. Following are key elements:

1. The number of recyclable containers at special events should be equal to the number of trash containers (a 1:1 ratio).
2. Recycling and trash containers should be placed next to each other in areas throughout the event venue.
3. Each recyclable container should be clearly identified as a recycling receptacle and display a list of recyclable materials accepted.
4. The event organizer can determine the types of recyclables to be collected as long as the recyclables include all aluminum and metal cans, glass (glass is prohibited on public property) and plastic bottles and jars, and all mixed paper and cardboard.
5. The event organizer must ensure that all recyclable materials are delivered to a recycling facility and not to a landfill. Please contact The M.e.t. at (918) 584-0584. For information go to metrecycle.com.

 If you are placing a tent (includes inflatable type dome), canopy, stage, or scaffold, etc. on public property, private property, or parking lot, you may need a Tent Permit and/or Building Permit. Tents 400 square feet or less (e.g. 10 x 10, 10 x 20 or 20 x 20) do not require a Tent Permit. Tents over 400 square feet (e.g. 20 x 25 or larger - includes below tent groupings) do require a Tent Permit. If a tent permit is required, must obtain a tent permit before erecting a tent. Tent stakes driven into the ground, street or tent straps attached to poles are prohibited on public property. Please contact the One-Stop-Permit Center at (918) 596-9601. The tent permit application is available online and requires submittal of the application ten (10) days prior to the event. Review below Tent requirements:

Tents 400 square feet or less (e.g. 10 x 10, 20 x 20) not spaced per the below guidelines require a Tent Permit.

1. 10 x 10 tents may be single or grouped up to 4 but must not exceed 400 square feet.
2. 10 x 20 tents may be single or grouped up to 2 but must not exceed 400 square feet.
3. Grouping of said tents must have an access space of 12 feet between any other group, tent and property line.
4. 20 x 20 tents must have an access space of 12 feet between any other group, tent and property line.
5. No smoking in any size tent (vendor and customers). Must post "No Smoking" signs.
6. Tents with 2 or more covered sides or during dark hours must display illuminated "Exit" signs. Tent occupancy over 50 must have 2 exits. Tent occupancy over 500 must have 3 exits. Tent occupancy over 1,000 must have 4 exits.
7. Tents must not block fire hydrants or FDC connections.
8. Generators must be separated by 20 feet from tents.
9. No cooking in tents unless separated by 20 feet from any other group, tent and property line.
10. No food can be served or consumed in a tent used for cooking.
11. Need 1 portable fire extinguisher (2A:10BC) for every 3,000 square feet of tent or within 75 feet of travel, whichever is greater.
12. If a tent is to be placed against a building, prior approval must be obtained before erection of the tent. Contact the Tulsa Fire Department at firemarshal@cityoftulsa.org or 918-596-9422 for approval.

For static venues (e.g. festivals, street parties, etc.), below are five (5) barricade companies that provide a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) to close the roadway for a special event venue.

Action Safety Supply (918) 234-8222, charlie@actionsafetysupply.com
Advanced Workzone Services (918) 682-9393, r.jett@advancedworkzone.com
Area Wide Protection (918) 445-8899, ernest.livingston@awpsafety.com
Direct Traffic Control (918) 836-0666, dtci@directtrafficcontrol.com
RoadSafe Traffic Systems (918) 425-4550, bholder@roadsafetraffic.com

City of Tulsa Standards:
Provide your basic street closure map to a barricade co. and request a TCP (all costs of an initial TCP map vary). Once a TCP is created, email it to the Special Events Coordinator for review and approval. Once the TCP is approved, you may send it out for traffic control equipment, delivery, and removal bid/quote to the five (5) barricades companies.

You must provide adequate cleanup during and after your event. Failure to perform adequate clean-up immediately after the event each day within and around the outdoor venue including the adjacent streets, rights-of-way, alleys and parking lots and/or repair damages to city property and facilities due to your event will result in the City of Tulsa providing the services and billing the event organizer at cost recovery rates for clean-up and/or repair. Glassware is not allowed within and around the outdoor venue including the adjacent streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, alleys and parking lots.

If you are hosting any type of fighting and/or wrestling event, you will need to notify the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission. Learn more on their website.