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 Event Policy
Completed Special Events Application Packages and supporting documents shall be forwarded to:
Corporate Support Generalist
Norfolk County Robinson Administration Building
185 Robinson Street, Suite 100
Simcoe, ON N3Y 5L6
*Front Counter located at the Provincial Offences Office on the Ground Floor
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
An Outdoor Special Event Application Package is available here:
2016 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.
Use this chart to determine deadlines for submission of documents:
Chart -Deadlines For Submitting Documents
Accessibility
All Norfolk County Special Events should be planned with accessibility in mind, and event organizers should take into consideration the fact that people with various disabilities might attend their event. A Guide to Accessible Festivals and Outdoor Events can be found below:
Guide To Accessible Festivals And Outdoor Events
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. Please visit the following link for more information:
Food Safety at Special Events – Instructions for Organizers, Food Providers and Exempt Groups
Fire Safety Requirements Forms
Organizers and vendors participating in special events are required to complete the attached forms:
FO 186 Organizer Safety Requirements
FO-192 Vendor Safety Requirements
If you require a Tent Fire Safety Plan the following form is required to be completed:
FO-187 Special Events Tent Fire Safety Plan Form
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
- 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
- Mobile Food Premise Package
- 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 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 -
Delhi
Administration Building
183 Main St.
Delhi, ON
N4B 2M3
Phone: 519-582-2100
Fax: 519-582-4571 -
County
Administration Building
50 Colborne St. South
Simcoe, ON
N3Y 4H3
Phone: 519-426-5870
Fax: 519-426-8573