This Web site is designed to assist Licensed Certified Contractors, Concert and Festival Promoters who are seeking information on how to streamline their efforts to obtain permits prior to sponsoring a Special Event/Outdoor Event in the following areas of Broward County:

Unincorporated Broward County
Brian Piccolo Park
Quiet Waters Park
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

If you are planning a Special Event in an area not listed above, we suggest you first notify the city in which the selected site is located and request that city's specific requirements.

Pursuant to Florida State Statue 489 ONLY contractors certified by the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation OR the Broward County Central Examining Board may apply and obtain all Florida Building Code required permits for "Special Events."

Please allow ample planning time to go through the permitting and approval process. Types of special events for the purpose of this Web site include: carnivals, a circus, concerts, festivals, etc. Depending on the type of event you are sponsoring you may need to visit several licensing agencies, which may also include local and/or state agencies. This will depend on the location where the event will take place; the estimated attendance; the type of structures that will be erected or may already be present on the site; whether amusement rides will be present; information regarding food sales/preparation and of course sanitary facilities. These are examples of many of the items you'll be verifying, but your event description could trigger other needs.

Included in this Web site is a checklist intended to help you identify the required agencies; what service is performed and what permits MUST BE OBTAINED PRIOR to the event. Also included are links to the various Web sites of the agencies and other important information that might prove helpful before and during the permitting process.

ZONING: TIP! Always verify first that the local zoning requirements allow the activity you've planned on the site location you've selected. Zoning verifies that the location of the event is suitable for the needs of the event that will be held at that site. This includes but is not limited to minimum site requirements, setbacks, vehicular access, parking, lighting and signage.

For more detailed information please visit Broward County Code of Ordinances Chapter 39 "Zoning," Article XIII "Conditional Uses," Sec. 39-238 "Outdoor Event Permits."

FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE: Concerned with Public and Life Safety issues, crowd and traffic control

BUILDING CODE SERVICES: Accepts permit applications ONLY after the plans have been routed and approved by all the other agencies. Upon approval, any required fees will need to be paid, then your permit will be issued and the required inspections will be performed. Once the final inspections have passed, the special event permit will be signed off as completed and the event will be allowed to open to the public.

STATE OF FLORIDA: In addition to the above County or local agencies you may need to contact certain State agencies, depending on the type of activities or attractions that will be present at the event.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
5080 Coconut Creek Parkway, Margate, FL 33063-3942
850-487-1395

FOOD PREPARATION: A Temporary Food Service Event is any event of 30 days or less in duration where food is prepared, served, or sold to the general public.

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
3125 Connor Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
850 488-9790

AMUSEMENT RIDES: The Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection is responsible for inspecting all amusement rides in the state of Florida. Please Note: "No amusement ride can operate in the State of Florida unless inspected and permitted by the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection."

Special Events Checklist

The Florida Building Code requires permits for temporary tents, portable structures, portable sanitary facilities, electrical connections to a main power source and/or portable generator, potable water connections, gas/propane connections. Permits are also required for events that involve food preparation and/or rides and attractions.

Florida State Statue 489 only allows contractors certified by the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or Broward County Central Examining Boards to apply and obtain required permits by the Florida Building Code for Special Events. Only contractors certified in the specific discipline type can obtain permits as follows.

___ General Contractor - Tents, Canopies, Platforms, Stages, etc.
___ Electrical Contractor - Generators, Lighting, Electrical power distribution etc.
___ Plumbing Contractor - Temporary bathroom facilities, Gas equipment, etc.
___ Mechanical Contractor - Air Conditioning systems, fire extinguishing apparatus, etc.

All routing must be completed prior to submitting a permit applicationto the building division for the following agencies:

___ Zoning
___ Fire Marshal's Office
___ State of Florida DBPR Food Preparation
___ State of Florida Agriculture Rides

Plans must include a site plan that indicates:

___ Setbacks
___ Egress to and from the site
___ Location of Booths*
___ Location of Rides
___ Electrical details**
___ Compliance with all ADA/handicap requirements.
___ Structural details/shop drawings for tents or canopies.

*Booths using and storing L.P. gas need to comply with NFPA 54 & 58 as well as FBC Fuel Gas Code requirements:

___ Show sizes and locations of all gas containers. All gas containers must be secured and protected.
___ Provide the total number of occupants anticipated at peak times
___ Show location and number of existing and proposed sanitary facilities existing facilities that are within
      500 ft of the event may be included.
___ Indicate location of all fire extinguishers

**Electrical details to be shown on the plan:

___ Indicate overhead power lines and clearances.
___ If multiple power sources, indicate bonding on grounding detail.
___ Provide load calculations, indicate all loads that are to be connected.
___ Provide KVA ratings of generators and indicate the type of cables being used hard usage required.
___ Note that "lamps used for general illumination in tents or concessions shall be protected from
      accidental breakage by suitable fixtures or guards no open fixtures.
___ Fire extinguishers are required at generators Minimum 2A10BC.

The above described information must be submitted to the Building Code Services Division a minimum of two 2 weeks prior to the event.