Festivals and Events

Learn more about hosting your special event or activities on Norfolk County's streets, sidewalks, parks, or other public spaces.

Introduction

Whether it's a parade, race, walk, block party, or a major festival, these celebrations can benefit everyone involved. To ensure everything runs smoothly, please remember that all outdoor events on municipal property or those needing municipal services require an Outdoor Special Event Permit. The goal of Norfolk County’s Outdoor Special Events Policy is “To encourage County-wide festivals and events that draw people together, helping to promote community spirit.”

Accessibility

Accessibility and inclusion should be integrated into the planning and delivery of all Norfolk County Special Events, with consideration given to reducing barriers and enhancing participation for everyone.

Application

Start a new application using the link below (application fee applies):

Request an Outdoor Special Event Permit

Application should be submitted at least three months before the planned event date. Starting at least 90 days in advance ensures adequate time for the County’s internal review and circulation process and any additional applications that may be required can be identified and the associated timelines can be met.

If you plan to use a Norfolk County park for your event, please contact facility.bookings@norfolkcounty.ca to secure a park rental for the requested date(s).

Exemptions

When a proposed event takes place only on designated sports fields and/or facilities or when the proposed event would take place only in a picnic shelter (having a maximum of 200 participants), the fields and/or facilities are to be booked directly through Facility Rentals (without processing a Special Event Permit), except for a beer garden event.

Insurance requirements

Event organizers must provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event. The insurance requirements are:

Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage in a minimum amount of $2,000,000, including “The Corporation of Norfolk County” listed as an Additional Insured and inclusion of a Cross Liability endorsement and Completed Products and Operations coverage.
Non-owned auto coverage is also required.
If alcohol is involved, the policy must include Host Liquor Liability evidenced on the certificate.

Norfolk County reserves the right to increase insurance requirements based on the event.

Additional application forms

Depending on the nature of your event, additional permits or approvals may be required. Expand for more information and links to application forms:

Building Permits (Tents and Stages)

Depending on size, a building permit may be required for tents and stages. Please review the applicable sections of the Ontario Building Code below to determine if a building permit is required.

All building permit applications must be submitted at least 10 days prior to erection of a tent or stage.

Tents

Section 3.14. Div B OBC applies to Tents and Air-supported Structures:

Any tents exceeding 60 m² will require a building permit.
Any group of tents that are less than 3 m apart are considered one tent for the purpose of determining area.
Every tent and tarpaulins, decorative materials, fabrics and films used in connection with tents shall be certified to CAN/ULC-S109 “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films”, or NFPA 701 “Fire Tests for Flame-Resistant Textiles and Films”.

Apply for a permit: Tents and Temporary Structures.

Stages

Section 3.17. Div B OBC applies to demountable stages and demountable support structures.

Ontario Building Code requires a building permit for demountable stages and associated sound and lighting equipment towers. These stages must also comply with specific technical requirements for stage safety.

Demountable stage means a structure that,

(a) consists of one or more platforms together with any wall, roof or other structures attached to or located on any of the platforms,

(b) is intended to be used for public or private performances or events, other than performances or events associated with movie or television productions,

(d) is capable of being dismantled at its location and moved to be reconstituted elsewhere or is erected for one-time use,

(e) is not located inside a fully enclosed building,

(f) is primarily for use by performers and workers, and

(g) may or may not be mounted on wheels.

Demountable support structure means any structure that,

(a) is capable of supporting banners, stage sets, props, sound equipment, lighting equipment or other equipment,

(b) is intended to be used for public or private performances or events, other than performances or events associated with movie or television productions,

(d) is capable of being dismantled at its location and moved to be reconstituted elsewhere or is erected for one-time use,

(e) is not attached to or located on a demountable stage,

(f) is not located inside a fully enclosed building,

(g) is primarily for use by performers and workers, and

(h) may or may not be mounted on wheels.

Apply for a permit: Stages and Temporary Structures.

Business Licensing

If you have vendors attending the event they may be required to obtain a Norfolk County business license if they don’t already have one. Licence Fees apply.

Types of business licences that may be required at festivals and events are mobile food license for any food or beverage service; personal services licence for face-painting, and amusement licence for midway rides or inflatables.

Visit Business Licence | Norfolk County to learn more or complete the request below:

Fire Department

Any tent that is being used for assembly purposes for over thirty (30) persons requires a tent fire safety plan to be submitted to Norfolk County Fire Department for review and approval. Request a form by contacting Norfok.fire@norfolkcounty.ca

If fireworks and/or pyrotechnics are part of the event, application must be submitted to the Licensing Officer at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. Please complete the form below and send a copy to licensing@norfolkcounty.ca

Display Fireworks Special Event Application Form (PDF)

If you are having a fire as part of the event (bonfire/fire pit) a burn permit may be required. A burn permit must be obtained at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. One (1) recreational fire per property is permitted without a burn permit. To obtain a burn permit, please complete the request below:

Request a Burn Permit

Noise Restrictions

The amplification of sound for special events is permitted between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. and shall comply with by-laws unless otherwise an exemption is granted. Noise restrictions are subject to change based on site/event specific guidelines. Speaker stacks should be positioned to tilt downward toward the crowd. Sound levels shall not exceed levels of one hundred (100) decibels, one hundred (100) feet from the stage. For more information on how to request a noise by-law exemption, please contact:

By-Law and Policy Information Requests - Norfolk County

Public Health

Depending on the type of event, you may need to meet public health requirements related to food, drinking water, personal services or other health and safety considerations. Visit Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH)’s website to learn more:

Grand Erie Public Health | Special Events

Raffles and Lottery Licensing

To sell raffle tickets or hold games of chance during a special event, a lottery licence is required. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) authorizes Norfolk County to provide lottery and gaming licences to local charities, non-profit organizations, and other eligible organizations. License applications must be submitted at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the event. To learn more or submit the request visit:

Lottery Licence | Norfolk County

Request for Municipal Significance or No Objection

If you wish to serve alcohol at the event and are not a registered charity or non-profit association, as a person or group (i.e. promoter, for-profit business) you may apply for a Special Occasion Permit (SOP) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) if the event is designated by the municipality as one of municipal significance. Review the Municipal Significance By-law.

A municipal designation may take the form of a resolution of Council or a letter from Council’s authorized designate (e.g. municipal Clerk) on municipal letterhead stating that the municipality deems the event as one that is significant for the community. While a particular event may receive a designation from the municipality, the Registrar ultimately decides if the necessary criteria have been met for a SOP to be issued.

As part of the request process, a detailed sketch showing the dimensions of the area the permit will apply to and the locations of tents and seating that will be used must be uploaded. Please review the AGCO Special Occasion Guide, Sections 7 and 8, by visiting agco.ca.

Please allow three (3) weeks for circulation and processing.

To apply for your event be designated as an event of municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining a SOP complete the request below:

Request a designation of Municipal Significance

OPP Paid Duty Officers

Organizers can request paid duty officers at their event by submitting a request directly to the OPP at OPP.Norfolk.County@opp.ca. The OPP reserves the right to require paid duty officers and if necessary, the level of security services that will be required, based on their assessment of potential risks to public safety at the event.

Road Closures

If you would like a section of Norfolk County roadway to be temporarily closed as part of the event, you can make the request as part of the Outdoor Special Event Permit application. Please note, the organizer must provide written notification to all residents and businesses affected by the road closure at least two (2) weeks prior to the approved road closure.

If approved, the Roads Department will drop off road barricades ahead of the event at the appropriate intersections for your team to put up and take down in accordance with the Road Closure Permit. Emergency access lanes must be maintained at all times, and no parking is permitted in front of barricades to allow for emergency services access if required.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide police service in Norfolk County and are included in the circulation of all Outdoor Special Event applications. The OPP in conjunction with the Director of Roads or designate, will determine whether road closure barricades can be manned by volunteers.

Promotion

Norfolk County’s Economic Development Department can assist event organizers in promoting their event on the Visit Norfolk App. Event details can be submitted here: