Several City Departments support the permitting of events depending on the type of event, properties used or activities involved. This questionnaire will direct you to the appropriate department from the following list:
Test Direct link to applications.
Before completing this survey, the Event Planner should have a clear idea of what their outdoor event will entail. Read the question and select your answer from the drop down menu. After you select your answer, the next question, or a link to the appropriate department's website, will appear.
Vendors interested in participating in an event must contact the Event Planner directly. Visit the City's calendar at this link: www.norfolk.gov/calendar. Use this calendar to find an event you are interested in and contact the Event Planner directly for information on participating.
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Visit the Communication Department's Film Permit Requests page at the link below.
The City of Norfolk defines public property as parks, public right-of-way, facilities, parcels or other open spaces owned and managed by the City of Norfolk. Private property is defined as indoor or outdoor spaces that are not owned by the City of Norfolk.
Link will open in a new window. If your outdoor event is a combination of both private and public property, you will need to do two things: 1) Click at the above link and complete the Planning Department Private Property Special Event Permit Guidelines and Application, and 2) continue to the next question.
The First Amendment provides protections to your right to conduct activities related to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and the right to petition.
Such closures restrict pedestrian and vehicle traffic access to a street or sidewalk.
Examples of outdoor event activities may include activities such as games, cooking, etc. Equipment setup includes, but is not limited to, setting up cooking equipment, stages, tables/chairs or tents.
Some Event Planners request a (permanent or temporary) street closure with their reservation of a City park. Please call SevenVenues at (757)664-6880 for guidance.
Alcohol is not allowed at any public park, NPS grounds or other green space expect for Town Point Park and Ocean View Beach Park. Alcohol may be approved for events in the public right-of-way. All requests are subject to City Administration and ABC approval.
Unless the outdoor event is free and open to general public, there is some type of admission charge involved. How that admission charge is handled is based on the local code of ordinance for the locality and how the Event Planner chooses to collect the admission charge - tickets sales in advance, collection of a charge at the door, or both. Per Norfolk City Code (Sec. 24-288), events that require a registration fee or participation fee do require the collection of admission tax, which is 10% of the gross ticket price. Events that ask for a donation are only exempt from admission tax if the donation is "at will", meaning the event cannot ask for a specific donation amount ($10, $20, etc.). Ticketed events will not be approved for all City properties.
This request does not reserve a parking lot solely for outdoor event use, but does provide permission for outdoor events to utilize a lot for parking in addition to normal public parking access. City parking lots may not be permitted for outdoor event setup; only for outdoor event parking.
Link will open in a new window. Using the map selected, begin to draw the layout for your outdoor event.
Link will open in a new window. If your outdoor event is a combination of both City of Norfolk and Norfolk Public School property, you will need to do two things: 1) Click at the above link and follow directions to complete the Norfolk Public School Facility Use Lease Guidelines and Application, and 2) Click on the link below and follow directions to complete the SevenVenues Event Permit Application.
SevenVenues only permits a selection of spaces in Community Parks. The park maps reflect the eligible spaces. If you want to rent a space in one of the spaces marked with a red "X," you must contact the Lakewood Athletic Office at (757)441-5834.
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