Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Special Event, Commercial/Promotional Permits: Promotions, stunts, red carpet events, press conferences, and media days.
• Street Festival/Block Party Permit: Street festivals including all multi-day and/or multi-block events, block parties, religious ceremonies, and farmers' markets.

The Parks Department issues permits for:

• Athletic events (charitable and non-charitable events), general, promotional, commercial, and private events held within a park.
• Temporary use authorization/vendor permits for revenue-generating activities.
• Events/activities where twenty or more people will be present.
• School picnics, birthday parties, and field days.

A "parade" is any procession or race which consists of a recognizable group of 50 or more pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, or other devices moved by human power, or ridden or herded animals proceeding together upon any public street or roadway.

• Parade permits are issued by the New York Police Department.

SAPO
A $15 non-refundable processing fee is required for all permit applications (only certified checks or money orders made payable to the NYC Department of Finance are accepted).

• Block Parties: No fee (except for the $15 non-refundable processing fee).
• Street Festivals: For street activities which occupy more than one block, a fee equal to 20% of the total fees paid by the vendors to participate shall be charged (in addition to the $15 non-refundable processing fee).
• Promotional Commercial Events: Visit the SAPO Web site for complete SAPO Fee Scale based on event details (in addition to the $15 non-refundable processing fee).

Parks and Recreation
A $25 non-refundable administrative processing fee for all special events permits.

• If your event has over 500 people, or if it is promotional or commercial in nature, it is subject to a site fee.
• If your event has over 500 people, or if it is promotional or commercial in nature, please include an event description with your application.
• Visit the Parks and Recreation Web site for the complete Concession Fee Scale.

NYPD Parade & Sound Permits

• Parade Permits: There is no fee required to apply for a parade permit.
• Sound Permits: A fee of $45 for the first day's use of the permit will be required upon approval of the application and receipt of the sound device permit. Make Bank Teller's Check, Certified Check, or Money Order payable to the Police Department, City of New York.

SAPO
An Insurance Certificate of Liability listing New York City as an additional insured for $1 million is required for all commercial/promotional events, street festivals, and block parties with rides at the event.

Parks and Recreation
The organizer is required to obtain an original certificate of liability insurance for the amount of $1 million personal liability with a food and beverage rider (if food or beverages are to be sold) including $1,000,000.00 property damage insurance. This insurance certificate must name the City of New York and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, The Arsenal, 830 5th Avenue New York, NY 10021 as Certificate Holder and Additional Insured. The location of the special event must also be named as the insurance certificate.

NYPD Parade Permit
The New York City Police Department does not have insurance requirements for parade permits.

SAPO

• Street Festivals: Applications must be received by December 31st of the preceding year. Applicants then begin the approval process. If your application is denied, you will receive a notice in writing stating the reason for denial. Applicants should expect to receive their permit once all appropriate paperwork and payments are received by SAPO, usually one week prior to the event.
• Special Events: Applications must be received 14 days prior to the date of the event. Applicants will be notified if their application is denied. Applicants should expect to receive their permit once the total invoice fee is paid and all necessary paperwork and support permits are received.
• Block Parties: Applications must be received by SAPO 60 days prior to the date of the event. In addition, applicants must submit their application to the local Community Board for their recommendation at least 90 days prior to the event. Applicants will be notified if their event does not meet block party criteria. Applicants should expect to receive their permit two weeks prior to the date of their event if all necessary paperwork has been provided.
• NOTE: SAPO does not release any permits until all fees, insurance, and proof of support permits are received. Applicants must have the permit on location during the event.

Parks and Recreation

• Special Event Permits: Require at least 21 to 30 days to be processed.
• Demonstrations and Rallies: Require 5 to 7 days notification.
• The Parks Department processes applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; allow 3-4 weeks processing time.

NYPD Parade & Sound Permits

• Parade Permits: An application in a form prescribed by the New York Police Department must be filed with the precinct in which the parade formation area is located; provided, however, that applications for parade routes including any portion of Fifth Avenue in the borough of Manhattan or for parades with 1000 or more participants must be filed with the office of the Chief of Department. An application for a permit will be made at least 36 hours prior to the date upon which the parade is to occur.
• Sound Permits: You must go to your local precinct and file an application at least five days in advance of your event.

Yes, you must go to your local precinct's Community Affairs Unit and do the following:

• File for a Sound Device Permit Application (this can be downloaded from the NYPD Web site or picked up at the local precinct).
• All answers must be either typewritten or printed in ink.
• File application in the precinct where the device is being used.
• File application at least five days before the day of the event.
• A fee of $45 for the first day's use of the permit will be required upon approval of the application and receipt of the sound device permit.
• Make Bank Teller's Check, Certified Check, or Money Order payable to the Police Department, City of New York.

If approved, the permit is to be picked up on the day of the event or as directed by the precinct staff.

A street festival is hosted by a not-for-profit community organization and is generally organized as a fundraiser for the organization. Street festivals often have food, merchandise vendors, and rides. Special events are sponsored by promotional/commercial entities and may include red carpets, grand openings, parking of generators, a sky tracker, or promotional vehicles.

If your event is more than 1 block and you are selling and/or distributing food, you are required to obtain a temporary health food license from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Bureau of Food Safety & Community Sanitation, Temporary Food Service Establishment Inspection Program at 125 Worth Street , Room 1020, CN59A New York, NY 10013. Please call 311, email infobfscs@health.nyc.gov or visit the Temporary Food Service Establishment website for more information.

SAPO
Yes. However, to sell general merchandise you are required to obtain a Temporary Street Fair Permit from the Department of Consumer Affairs and Worker Protection located at 42 Broadway, Lobby, NY, NY. You may also call 212-487-4071 for further information.

Parks and Recreation
Yes. You will need to obtain a Temporary Use Authorization from the Parks Department. For more information please visit the Parks Special Event Permit Request website or call 311.

• Alcohol is prohibited for all special events held in parklands.
• Alcohol is prohibited at Parades.
• Alcohol is prohibited at Block Parties, Special Events, and Street Festivals.

Attention

• Applicants applying for a on-premises alcoholic beverage license

Standardized Forms for Notice to Local Municipalities and Community Boards

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law requires that, in connection with the submission of certain types of on premises alcoholic beverage applications to the State Liquor Authority, the new applicant (or the licensee-applicant in the case of a renewal) must provide a 30-day advance notice to the Local Municipality or Community Board that such an application is being submitted.

The 30-day advance notice requirement is intended to provide Local Municipalities and Community Boards with an opportunity to make their views known to the State Liquor Authority.

• Standardized NOTICE FORM for Providing 30-Day Advance Notice to a Local Municipality or Community Board (in PDF).

It is important that the new form be used, fully completed, and promptly mailed. Forms will not be accepted via email. They must either be mailed, certified, return receipt (the green card) or hand delivered to our office. (Please note that do the the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, you must make an appointment to deliver the form in-person.

A new applicant's (or a renewal applicant's) failure to use and fully complete the appropriate standardized form will result in significant delay in the issuance of the applied-for license.

For additional information visit: the NY State Liquor Authority website