Review the Planning and Resource Guide
Check out our Special Event Planning and Resource Guide for timelines, specifications, instructions, and templates. We recommend you use this guide to create your site plan (see step 3).
Check your eligibility
You'll need a Special Event Permit if you have an activity or series of events or activities planned for a specific time and place. Typical special events include festivals, parades, races, concerts and neighborhood fairs. This is due no later than 70 days before your event start date.
For events on private property, complete the Private Property Event Permit Application.
Develop a site map
To create a comprehensive site map:
- Create a site map using a program of your choice such as Google Earth or our Special Event Resource Guides. You can submit a rough draft and provide updated maps as you continue to plan.
- Write out a timeline including set-up, tear-down, delivery and retrieval times
Make your plans
You'll need to have details ready for the application. Some of these include:
- Walk/run route and written directions (for races)
- Refuse and recycling plan
- Event timeline
- Event Action Plan
- Amplified sound extension request
You can view other details we'll need to know by viewing our guidelines & timeline checklist (not all tasks may apply).
Have payment ready
Be prepared to pay the $100 non-refundable, non-transferrable application fee. Make checks payable to The City of Grand Rapids. We can also email an invoice upon request to allow for debit/credit payment online (Visa, MasterCard, Discover).
Give us a call
Call us at the number listed in the Contact Us section for help completing the application.
We'll review your application
We'll check the availability for your event and follow up with you in two business days. Submitting this application doesn't mean your event is approved. View our Timeline Checklist in the meantime to stay on track.
We recommend that you do not announce your event date or location until you receive an email from us stating that your event has been accepted. Keep in mind that some details may take longer to approve, such as a street closure request or race/walk route.
Download the Special Event Permit Application in English
Our PDF option is temporarily unavailable to download. Please use the online version. You may call our office with any questions or for further assistance at 616-456-3378
We'll check the availability for your event and follow up with you via e-mail in 2 business days. Submitting this application doesn't mean your event is approved.
We recommend that you do not announce your event date or location until you receive an email from us stating that your event has been accepted. Keep in mind that some details may take longer to approve, such as a street closure request or race/walk route.