The ACE permitting process has been established to create a streamlined approach to the planning, review, and on-site management of events in the city.

Activity Requiring a Special Event Permit

Special Events are events that...

  • Have 50 or more attendees per day at a city facility, other than the Austin Convention Center, Long Center, City Hall, or Palmer Events Center
  • Impact a city street, sidewalk, alley, walkway, or other city public right-of-way other than as permitted under Chapter 14-8 (Temporary Closure for Special Events and Block Parties)

OR

  • Are temporary, involve 50 or more attendees per day, inconsistent with the permanent use to which the property may legally be used, or the occupancy levels permitted on the property, and include one of the following:
    • Set up of temporary structures, including, but not limited to: tents, stages, or fences
    • Use of sound equipment in an area not fully enclosed by permanent, solid walls, and roof
    • Provision of food or beverages, including alcohol.
       

Tier Definitions and Deadlines

An event’s designated tier determines which set of deadlines to follow. Applications for events submitted outside of their tier timeline are subject to denial. During the application review period, ACE will engage in an interactive process with applicants.

Use the interactive tier tool to provide an initial assessment of your event. For questions or to confirm your event tier status, please email Special Events.  

ACE Event Tier Tool

Tier 1

Tier 1 special events do not include the consumption of alcohol and also meet one of the following: 

  • Stationary – The event is stationary, impacts only one block of a sidewalk or a city right-of-way that is not a street, and only needs a permit issued under Chapter 14-8 (Temporary Closure for Special Events and Block Parties)
  • Moving – The event is moving, consists of people only, and is in a police escorted bubble
  • At a City Facility – The event is at a city facility, lasts less than five hours, and does not include food or beverages, or there is a request to increase the permanent occupancy limit 

Application deadline: 3 business days from the first day of the event 

Tier 2

Tier 2 special events meet one of the following: 

  • At a City Facility – The event is at a city facility and estimated attendance is less than 2,500 attendees per day
  • Private Property – The event is on private property, will last four days or less, and estimated attendance is less than 2,500 attendees per day
  • Stationary – The event is stationary and impacts two blocks or less of a street, sidewalk, or city right-of-way 

Application deadline: 30 calendar days from the first day of the event 

Tier 3

Tier 3 special events are events that are not covered by tiers 1, 2, and 4:

Application deadline: 120 calendar days from the first day of the event 

Tier 4

Tier 4 special events meet one of the following: 

  • At a City Facility –The event is at two or more city facilities and includes the use of city streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-ways
  • City Resources – The event has an estimated need of $100,000 or more in city services, staff time, and/or equipment 

Application deadline: 180 calendar days from the first day of the event 

Applications to host a Neighborhood Block Party must be submitted at least 10 calendar days before the planned event.