Special Event Permit

Special Events Permit, photo of fair with ferris wheel, rides, and games

 

Effective November 1, 2022, DPIE no longer requires a Temporary Use Special Event Permit for parades, bike rides and walks if the event has no tents, stages, inflatables, generators, ticket sales, food trucks, or drinks or food prepared onsite. Distribution must be limited to prepackaged food and drinks.  

A Temporary Use Special Event Permit is also not required for community meetings and potlucks with 50 or fewer attendees as long as the same exclusions mentioned above apply.

Prince George’s County approval is still required, however. Applicants must contact the Special Events Coordinator for review by DPW&T for road closures. The Police Department must be contacted to direct and/or control traffic for the events described above. 

Use the link to complete the Special Events Coordinating Group Application: PSSECG Special Event Application.

Use the link to access the Specific Temporary Use Code.

 

Special Events Permit Requirements

When is a Special Event Temporary Use and Occupancy Permit Required?

If you are temporarily using a space for a use other than its approved use for an event, then a Special Event Temporary Use & Occupancy Permit is required. *Note the exceptions to this requirement are indicated above.

The following are required for a Special Event Temporary Use and Occupancy Permit:

  • Site Address and Property Tax Account Number
  • Site Plan showing the location of all structures that will be on the property the day of the event
  • If tents are used, the manufacturer’s flame retardation specifications/certification are required. Please indicate on the application and site plan the number and dimensions of tents that will be used for the event.
  • If generators are used, a master electrician has to obtain the electrical permit. Please indicate on the application and site plan the number, sizes and location of generators that will be used for the event. 
  • If there are structures, i.e., stages/platforms/inflatables/carnival rides etc., you need to submit a structural drawing. Please indicate on the application and site plan the number of structures and dimensions that will be used for the event.
  • The owner's business must be registered and in Good Standing with the State of Maryland.
     

Use the link to complete the DPIE Special Event Temporary Use & Occupancy Application:

Momentum Site for Permits and Licenses (From Dashboard):

Select:

  1. Commercial and Residential Building Permits
  2. Use and Occupancy Permit
  3. Case Type: Event
  4. Permit Type (whichever one applies)

Momentum Site for Permits and Licenses (New Accounts):

Select:

  1. Start Your Application
  2. Enter under Permitting
  3. Temporary Use — Zoning
  4. Apply Here
  5. Commercial and Residential Building Permits 
  6. Use and Occupancy Permit
  7. Event
  8. Event Type

There is also a Special Event Temporary Use Procedures Checklist that must be submitted into the ePlan system with documents and plans to ensure required items are included with each application for review.

BEFORE you submit your online application, include the date of the event, time of the event (from set up to end), number and sizes of all structures, tents/stages/generators, etc. that will be used at the event. Please note that applications should be submitted 45 days prior to the event, but no less than 3 weeks prior to the event to ensure DPIE review and approvals are completed.
 

Expedited Reviews

On May 30, 2023, the Prince George’s County Council adopted the Special Event Expedited Review Fee via Resolution (CR-15-2023) to cover expedited plan reviews and inspections for the issuance of Special Event Temporary Use and Occupancy Permit applications. Effective October 1, 2023, the Special Event Expedited Review Fee will be assessed. The fees and charges are designated in the DPIE Fee Schedule.
 

Temporary Food Service Vendor License

If the event will include the serving of food and/or beverages, follow the guidelines at the Department of Health website:  Temporary Food Service Facility Permits.