Glendale, AZ - Special Events Permit Application Center

Interested in holding an event in the city of Glendale? Here’s what you need to know:

1. Glendale Special Events Permit Application

The city of Glendale Special Events Permit Application, application fee and site plan must be received by the City of Glendale Marketing Department / Office of Special Events no later than 30 days prior to the actual date of your event.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The $75.00 non-refundable application fee is to be made payable to “City of Glendale."   Send the fee along with a printed copy of the application to:

City of Glendale
Marketing / Communications Department
Office of Special Events
Special Event Permit Application
5850 W. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85301

For more information, e-mail or call the City of Glendale Marketing / Communications Department Office of Special Events at 623-930-2961.

*** Please note that we are in the process of replacing the online application with a PDF version. Please do not hit the submit key on the application at this time. Please print out the filled out applicaton and mail it in along with your payment.

The detailed site plan should include the event activities, size of tents, fire lane, generators, fencing, etc. 

2. Who Must Apply

The Glendale Ordinance No. 2591 in the city code requires that anyone planning a single gathering event or series of related consecutive daily gatherings or events of an entertainment, cultural, recreational, educational, political, religious or sporting nature, or of any other nature on a public facility, sponsored by an individual or entity that is expected to:

• draw five hundred (500) or more attendees (Large Special Event)
• draw less than five hundred (500) attendees and impact streets, sidewalks, parking lots and rights-of-way (Special Event)

What is considered a Public Facility?

A public facility is defined as land, outdoor park and recreational facilities, streets, sidewalks, parking lots and rights-of-way that are owned, leased, operated, maintained or controlled by the City of Glendale. 

City Parks / Recreational Facilities:

A Special Event application is not required if you plan to hold your event at a city park or recreational facility that is expected to draw less than 500 attendees.  It is your responsibility to contact the Parks & Recreation Department at least 30 days in advance in order to coordinate the scheduling of your event.  To obtain more information about reserving a city park or facilities, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 623-930-2824.

Neighborhood Block Party: The City of Glendale’s Transportation Department, Traffic Engineering Division, regulates Neighborhood Block Parties.  Contact the Transportation Department at 623-930-2940 to request authorization forms and information.

3. Special Events Permit Application Filing Timeline

A completed Special Events Permit Application, including application fee and site plan, must be received no less than 30 calendar days prior to the first day of the event.  Events involving a political march or rally, or other exercise of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or Article II, Section 6, of the Arizona Constitution, shall be received at least 15 calendar days prior to the first day of the event.

4. Supplemental Applications/Permits and Fees

Supplemental city of Glendale applications / permits and fees may need to be filed prior to a Special Events Permit being issued.  The following items are not all of the requirements, but some that seem to be most common. There are always special circumstances, which will require special review.

Fire Marshal, Building Safety & Planning Departments
Additional permits and/or approvals from the Fire Marshal, Building Safety and Planning departments may be required for your event.  These would be for, but not limited to:  Tents & Canopies, Generators / Electrical Services, Temporary Structures / Light Towers Stages / Platforms / Risers, Exterior Cooking, Signs & Banners, Vehicle Displays / Car Shows, Bleachers and Carnivals. 

For more information refer to the Fire Marshal, Building Safety and Planning Guide to Minor and Major Events or contact the Fire Marshal’s Office special events plan reviewer at 623-930-3401.

Maricopa Health Department
In order to sell or give away any food or beverage product at an event, you are required to apply for a “temporary Food Service Establishment” permit and pay an associated permit fee. Please read the special event program requirement and download the application from the following link.
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Tax & License
Any event with the sale of goods must obtain all appropriate licenses. Contact the City of Glendale Tax & License Division at 623-930-3190 or Click here for more information.

Liquor
If you plan to sell or serve alcohol beverages at your event, a state issued Temporary Special Event Liquor License may be required. For more information, click here or contact the City of Glendale Tax & License Division at 623-930-3190.