Organizing Special Events

Norfolk County wants to provide its citizens and organizations with a venue for conducting special events and activities on designated County streets, roads, sidewalks, parks, facilities or other municipally owned property.

Special events include, but are not limited to parades, races, walks, block parties and major festivals.  When well conceived and planned these celebrations can bring rewarding dividends to the organizers, participants and the community.

No person or organization shall hold or conduct any special event on municipal property or which requires municipal services without first having received a valid Special Event Permit in accordance with Outdoor Special Events Policy CRS-61:

EBS-45 – Outdoor Special Events Policy

Completed Special Events Application Packages and supporting documents shall be forwarded to:

Coordinator, Special Projects and Customer Services

County
Administration Building
50 Colborne St. South
Simcoe, ON
N3Y 4H3
Phone: 519-426-5870
Fax: 519-426-8573

View Map

Forms can also be emailed to specialevents@norfolkcounty.ca

Exemption to Policy

When a proposed event takes place only on designated sports fields and/or faciltiies or when the proposed event would take place only in the picnic shelter (having a maximum of 200 participants), the fields and/or facilities are to be booked directly through the Community Services Department (without processing a Special Events Permit), with the exception of a beer garden event.

Special Events Application Process

Norfolk County recognizes that special events are an important part of life for residents which enhance tourism, culture, recreation, education and provide an economic benefit to businesses in Norfolk County.

Organizers planning on hosting a special event, whether it’s a concert/festival/block party or parade must submit an application to Norfolk County.

Outdoor Special Event Application Package

A new Outdoor Special Event Application has been developed for use, effective 2015:

Outdoor Special Event Application Package

Outdoor Special Event Resource Manual for Event Organizers

This resource manual is a guideline for special event organizers in planning their activities and identifying and assisting organizers in following the requirements set out by Norfolk County and other organizations such as the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and O.P.P. who may have input in regards to the operations of the event.

Following the requirements of this manual will ensure that all necessary permits and  approvals will be in place well before the actual date of your event.

Outdoor Special Event Manual

Use this chart to determine deadlines for submission of documents:

Chart – Deadlines For Submitting Documents

Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit Special Event Packages

If food and/or beverages are served, sold or offered, the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit Special Event Application Package must be completed and returned with your package:

Health Unit Special Event Organizer's Application Package

Health Unit Special Event Food Provider Application Package

Fire Safety Requirements Forms

Organizers and vendors participating in special events are required to complete the attached forms:

Special Event Organizer Safety Requirements Form FO-186

Special Event Vendor Safety Requirements Form FO-192

If you require a Tent Fire Safety Plan the following form is required to be completed:

Tent Fire Safety Plan Form FO-187

By-Laws

The following by-laws govern the activities of these events.

• 2004-60 Public Parks By-Law
• 2009-66 Norfolk County Sign By-Law
• 2008-103 Fireworks By-Law
  • Amendment to Fireworks Regulating By-Law by 2010-111
  • Amendment to Fireworks Regulating By-Law by 2012-91
• 2012-01 Regulating the Setting of Fires By-Law
• 2013-19 – Business Licensing By-Law
• 2010-84 Noise By-Law

By-Law Appeals Application

The mandate of the By-law Appeals Committee is to hear and make decisions regarding applications for appeals to the Noise and Fire Setting By-laws.

An application fee is required for the Exemption to Noise By-law.  There is no application fee for an appeal to the By-law which Regulates the Setting of Fires.

• FO-94 – By-law Appeal Application Form to Regulate the Setting of Fires
• FO-96 – Noise Exemption Application Form

Additional Application Forms

• License Application for Peddlers
• License Application for Amusements
• License Application for an Organizer for a Community Festival License
• Pyrotechnic Special Event Approval Form
• Applicaton for a Display Fireworks Event Permit

Additional Application Forms

Additional Information

• TSSA Standards For Amusement Devices
• Electrical Safety Regulations
• PED-01 Film Industry Guidelines
• CSD-11 Municipal Alcohol Policy
• Petting Zoo Report 2009

Application forms and manuals are also available at the following locations:

Customer Service Centres

• Langton
  Administration Building
  22 Albert St.
  Langton, ON
  N0E 1G0
  Phone: 519-875-4485
  Fax: 519-875-4789
  
  View Map

• Delhi
  Administration Building
  183 Main St.
  Delhi, ON
  N4B 2M3
  Phone: 519-582-2100
  Fax: 519-582-4571
  
  View Map

• County
  Administration Building
  50 Colborne St. South
  Simcoe, ON
  N3Y 4H3
  Phone: 519-426-5870
  Fax: 519-426-8573
  
  View Map