Special Events Permits are required for any organized, temporary event with an estimated number of participants and spectators of 100 or more
people set up outdoors in a parking lot, side of the road, open land, or any outdoor venue not generally used for an assembly or using a building
for an event with an anticipated occupancy load of 50 or more if the building is not permitted and constructed as an assembly occupancy. These
operational permits are unique in nature and usually operate for a short period of time. Special Event permits are for a single use and cannot be
renewed unless approved under the original application. Each new event shall require a new application and permit. Special Event operational
permits will cover the following code sections:
Carnivals and Fairs
Exhibits and Trade Shows
Temporary Outdoor Assembly Event
Temporary Membrane Structures
Tents and Canopies
Liquid-or-gas fueled vehicles in assembly buildings
If an event includes the use of pyrotechnics, flame effects, or a firework display 1.4G or 1.3G, a pyrotechnics operational permit is
required. A separate application shall be completed by the licensed pyrotechnics shooter or representative company and all
required information and documentation as outlined under the pyrotechnic operational permits.
Any event that is anticipated to affect a public roadway including road closures, SHALL have the application, including road
closure plans, submitted no later than 90 days prior to the intended start date of the event. The application packet will be
forwarded to the Harris County Traffic Division for review and approval. However, it is recommended that the event coordinator
contact the Traffic Division, to answer any additional questions or provide further information if needed. A failure to turn in the
Special Event application involving public roadway impact, with less than 90 days’ notice could result in the special event
application being denied or permit fees doubled.
All other special events which do not anticipate public roadway impact, SHALL have application packet submitted a minimum of
30 days prior to the event start date. A failure to turn in a special event application 30 days prior to the anticipated start date of
the event, could result in a denial of permit or double permit fees.
***Note*** The emergency plan shall include the following: “Any law enforcement office has the authority to shut down the event
in the interest of public safety.”
RESOURCES:
Required Emergency Plan per Harris County Fire Code
Tent and Membrane Structure Information
Food Permits/Health Permits
TABC Permit for Alcohol Sales Consumption
Crowd Control Map
Example Map 1
Example Map 2
Sample Emergency Action Plan
Required Emergency Plan per Harris County Fire Code
Food Permits/Health Permits