Outdoor Event Permits & Planning

The City of Chesapeake celebrates special events for their contributions to cultural, community and economic growth. We are pleased you have selected Chesapeake as the site for your special event. Chesapeake strives to provide excellent customer service while facilitating your event needs.

City Event Coordination staff oversee the outdoor special event permitting process. We serve as a resource to assist event organizers during event planning and will coordinate the collaborative involvement of City resources. Depending on the scope of your event, a number of City and State departments may be involved in the logistics necessary to produce a safe and successfully executed event. The Outdoor Special Event Permit Application (PDF) will facilitate these requirements.

The Special Event Guidebook (PDF) has been developed for you to use as a reference while you complete your application. The guidebook provides a review of the process and key information needed during the planning stages of your event. Please feel free to email the City Event Coordination staff or call 757-382-6411 if you have any questions.

It is our goal to work with event organizers to ensure safe and successful events are held in the City of Chesapeake. We hope you find these instructions helpful in completing your Outdoor Special Events Application and your event is a great success!

Sincerely,
City Events Coordinator

Indoor Special Event Information

An operational permit is required to conduct a pre-planned indoor activity with an anticipated attendance number of five hundred (500) or more persons that is open to the public, or, charges admission, or, is outside of the general scope of a presently issued Fire Code Operational Permit for the occupancy.

Fire Code Indoor Special Event Permit Application (PDF)

Indoor Rental Facilities in Chesapeake:

FAQs

Do I need an Outdoor Special Event Permit?

A permit is required on private and public property if any of the following apply to your event:

The total number of people reasonably expected to attend on private property exceeds 500
Carnivals, bazaars and similar events open to the general public which offer such activities as amusement rides or devices, games of skill, animal rides or exhibitions, food concessions, or live entertainment with amplified sound
The total number of people reasonably expected to attend such a meeting or event exceeds 50 and the event is to take place on city property other than at a park or on the streets or sidewalks
Block party, procession, parade, or public assembly occupying, marching or proceeding along any street or highway

A permit is required when your event is located at a park or public recreation area and any of the following criteria applies to your event:

500 or more people are expected to attend a planned gathering at a park, park shelter, or recreational facility
Event or activity will involve use of amplified sound
Use of temporary structures or facilities, such as tents, stages, amusement devices (included but not limited to a, bounce house or dunk tank), or food concessions
The general public is invited to or notified of the event or activity by the media
Animals on display for show, for rides, or as a petting zoo
Alcohol will be served
The park shelter or recreational facility will be used in a manner other than its usual recreational use

When is a permit not required?

Funeral processions
A parade or procession of the armed forces of the United States, the military forces of the state, or the forces of the police or fire departments
Regularly scheduled public school activities or functions organized by public schools and conducted on property owned by the School Board of the City of Chesapeake
The operation of an established business enterprise which is conducted wholly or in part outside of a building, at the site of the permanent business address of such business
Other events as permitted by the City ordinance or other applicable law

How do I obtain an Outdoor Special Event Permit?

Call or visit the Special Events Coordination Office at:

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism
1224 Progressive Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: 757-382-6411
Fax: 757-277-9365
Email the Special Events Coordination Office

Or download the Special Event Permit Application (PDF). For more information, download the Special Event Guidebook (PDF).

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Outdoor Event Permits & Planning

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Indoor Special Event Information

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