Office of Outdoor Events

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 require a City permit effective Oct. 1, 2010. The rules also apply to parades, neighborhood events requiring the use of city streets, events in parks and some First Amendment activity.

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.

View the adopted ordinance (No. 19255-08-2010). The ordinance was amended by Council during its Sept. 28 meeting. View the amendment.  

Applications

• Neighborhood Events and Parades
  • Guidelines 
  • Application 
  • Neighborhood Parade Application 
  • Insurance Requirements
• Outdoor Events and Parades
  • Notice of Intent Form 
  • Application 
  • Events Guidelines 
  • Parade Guidelines 
  • Stage Inspection Requirements 
  • Ordinance
  • Noise Ordinance
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Commercial Permitting Submittal Requirements 
• Sample Site and Traffic Control Plans
  • Sample 1 
  • Sample 2
• First Amendment Activity
  • Rules and Guidelines

Certificates of Insurance

Certificates of Insurance should be mailed to:

Attn: Outdoor Events Manager
Public Events Department - Office of Outdoor Events Fort Worth Convention Center
1201 Houston St.
Fort Worth, TX 76112

Other Information

View information on Fort Worth street classifications in the Master Thoroughfare Plan.

Event Updates 

Pre-event meetings are held Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Police Department's Central Division, 501 Jones St.

Calendar

Visit the City Calendar for all 2011 events