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A Special Event Permit application must be submitted to the Special Events office 60 days prior to an event (block parties require 2 weeks). Applications may be submitted online or by phone. The length of time it takes to approve events depends on several factors, including size and scope of the event, or the volume of applications being processed. Once an event has been approved, a Special Event Permit will be sent via email, fax, or U.S. mail. This permit must be displayed in a prominent location during the event. Any changes to the application must be submitted in writing and must be done at least 1 week before the event date.
Please note: DCE will not issue permits more than 30 days before an event.
Anticipated attendees of 250 - 2500 - $75
Anticipated attendees of 2500 and up - $268.00
If your event requires a fire inspection or fire services, there may be an additional fee of $100.00.
Fees must be paid before the permit can be issued. An invoice will be sent with an email once your application is received.
You will be asked to provide the following information:
a public safety contact person (which must be an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy certified officer, if shutting down a street), Please do not list the person(s) who are organizing the event as the safety contact. The public safety contact should be a certified law enforcement officer through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. If you need assistance in finding an officer, you may call Ron Brezik at 317.327.6642 or email him at ronald.brezik@indy.gov
medical assistance information
sample insurance information
public amenities / Port-o-Let requirements
site-plan/walk/run route map
clean-up plan sample
contingency weather plan sample- If your event is cancelled or postponed due to weather, please send a courtesy call to the Special Events Office (317.327.4849)
EVENT ADDRESS
It is important that you include an Event Address on your application. Our permit system will not allow us to issue a permit without an Event Address. STREET / AREA CLOSURE
When listing a street or area to be closed, list the name of the street and/or sidewalk to be closed, between "ABC St." and "XYZ St."
Example: "Pennsylvania St, between St. Clair and Vermont St."
Don't forget to list the dates and times for closure. PARKING METER BLOCKAGE
The total number of Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Certified officers or security is determined by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department using many variables, including:
If food will be served at an event, please contact the Marion County Health Department. The forms can be found at www.mchd.com/fdevents_new.htm If alcohol will be served, please contact the Indiana State Excise Police: (317) 541 - 4100
Any amusement/entertainment, tents, or any electrical devices, please be sure to contact the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office for an entertainment permit, (317) 232-2318. You can find the application here.
If you wish to have fireworks/pyrotechnics at your event, you must first contact the State Fire Marshal’s office to see if a display permit will be needed, 317-232-2391. You must also obtain approval from the Indianapolis Fire Department at 317-327-6006. If a permit is needed once complete, return the application to the Fire Marshal for license. Find the application here.
The Indianapolis Fire Dept. Fire Prevention Office (317-327-6006) must be notified and an inspection performed prior to the event opening for any of the following activities:
If an event requires Indianapolis Fire Department Resources, contact us at:
http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPS/IFD/About/Pages/Special_Events_Request_Form.aspx
Fire Prevention – Assistant Director Capt. Fred Pervine at 317-327-6096
Indianapolis Fire Department resource availability is at the discretion of the Fire Chief and availability may change at any time.
CLEAN - UP INFORMATION
A clean-up contact person's name and telephone number must be submitted for all events. For large events (over 1,000 attendees) a clean-up plan must also be submitted. If additional cleanup by the Department of Public Works staff is necessary after the event, the event organizer will be billed for this service.
Trash boxes are available for purchase from the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. office.
Trash boxes cost $3.50 each and measure 19" X 19" X 30". Payment is expected at time of pick-up. They accept checks, Visa, MasterCard and cash. Please call 317-264-7555, to make an appointment to purchase your trash boxes or if you have any questions.
Boxes are sponsored by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and WTHR Channel 13. Boxes do not have liners. We recommend that you purchase 55-gallon trash bags to line the boxes. Boxes will be given to you flat. This makes them easy to load into a car or truck.
Through a generous donation from Alcoa, KIB has portable recycling collection bins (called Clear Streams) to loan organizations wishing to offer recycling at community events. These bins are extremely lightweight, portable and easily identified as NOT a trash receptacle.
BARRICADES AND CONES
Contact the Department of Public Works to reserve state-approved barricades to block off the street. This must be done BEFORE a permit is obtained. Barricades are available from the City free of charge for public, not-for-profit events. Pick up and return to the DPW at 1725 S. West St, building #4, between 7a-3p Mon and Friday. Barricades will not be delivered. Please send an e-mail to Steve Pruitt at steve.pruitt@indy.gov to reserve barricades for an event. Please be sure to take a copy of the permit that the Special Events Office will issue when picking up barricades.
The city will not have barricades or cones available for ANY event for the following dates:
Apply for a Special Event Permit at least 2 weeks in advance.
Notify neighbors of event details. Be sure to tell everyone who will be affected by the street closure at least two weeks in advance.
Contact the Department of Public Works to reserve state-approved barricades to block off the street. This must be done BEFORE a permit is obtained. Barricades are available from the City free of charge for public, not-for-profit events. Pick up and return at DPW at 1725 S. West St, building #4, between 7:00a-3:00p Mon and Fri; barricades will not be delivered. Please send an e-mail to Steve Pruitt at steve.pruitt@indy.gov to reserve barricades for a block party. Be sure to take a copy of the Special Events permit.
If hosting an event along the Downtown Canal, please contact Indy Canal Events by email at info@acepartyandtents.com or by phone 317.872.8368. Whether the event is public or private, a certificate of liability must be provided listing the Consolidated City of Indianapolis/DMD as additional insured. Depending on the type of event, there is a fee associated with all reservations. Please refer to our website for additional information. www.indycanalevents.com or call us for pricing information.
Click for Map of the Canal
GEORGIA STREET
MONUMENT CIRCLE
If an event will take place inside the bollards (the large concrete posts) of Monument Circle, contact the Indiana War Memorials Commission 30 days in advance of the event: (317) 233-0991.
If electricity is needed along the outside of Monument Circle, please note that there is a $5 fee per pedestal.
Click here for the form. Please return it to the Special Events Office.
Click here for a map of Monument Circle
PICKETING / DEMONSTRATIONS
In the instance the event is a peaceful picketing and/or demonstration, please contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. You may speak to Lt. Robert Boydston, 317-327-5379, e-mail: robert.boydston@indy.gov, fax; 317-327-3800.
PARKS
If your event will occur within an Indianapolis Park, please contact the appropriate Parks Department for questions or reservations, 317-327-PARK (7275).
Click here for parks information
Here are parks maps for some of the larger and more popular event spots:
Riverside Park Garfield Park Eagle Creek Park
If your event will take place in White River State Park (or Military Park), please contact Live Nation at (317) 231-0000
Click here for site map of Military Park
MARATHONS / PARADES/ RUNS/ WALKS
If the event will utilize several streets, the Special Events Office will require a detailed description and map of the event. Click Here to go to the Walk/Run portion of our website (which includes parade and bike routes as well).
STATE - OWNED MEMORIALS
If your event will take place at any of the state-owned memorials downtown, such as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle, the American Legion Mall, or University Park, you will need to contact the Indiana War Memorials Commission 30 days in advance of your event at 317-233-0991.
EVENTS ADVISORY BOARD
You may be asked to attend an Events Advisory Board (EAB) meeting. The EAB usually meets on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 9am at the Indiana War Memorial (431 N Meridian). Dates for the meetings can be found on the Special Events Home Page.