City Services

Event Permits & In Kind Services

Guidelines for Special Events

This information has been prepared to assist you in planning your event and meeting the necessary requirements for a safe and enjoyable event. If you should have any questions which are not answered on this page, please contact the Customer Service Assistant at 704-866-6022 or susanb@cityofgastonia.com. Event permits and the related permits listed below can be obtained in the Garland Business Center located at 150 South York Street, Gastonia.

You will need to fill out an event permit application if your event –

Will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic (occurs on City streets or rights-of-way), or
Will take place on public property (including City parks, City-owned parking lots, etc.)

Download Event Permit Application PDF

Typical events, that require a permit, include block parties, parades, athletic events, and other special events, as defined below.

Block Party: A gathering which requires the closure of a street.

Parade: A march or procession which interferes with pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic.

Athletic Events: An occasion when a group of participants collectively engage in a sport or other forms of physical exercise, which interferes and/or obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic. This includes bicycle and foot races. Other Special Events: Street fair, arts and crafts show, carnival, soapbox derby, rally or other events, which interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Processing Procedure: Permit applications must be submitted to the Customer Service Assistant at least 10 business days prior to the date of the event (15 business days before events involving the sale or service of alcohol). This will allow sufficient time to process the application. The applications will be routed through various departments for approval to ensure that the application meets public safety and ordinance requirements.

Applicant Responsibilities:

Completed application
Map
Fee ($30.00)
Some events (such as a parade) require proof of insurance

If alcohol will be sold or served at the event, you must also contact the Alcoholic Beverage Control officer at 704-866-6874 to obtain a permit to serve (15 business days prior to the event). The Gaston County Health Department inspects mobile food units on-site the day of each event to ensure compliance with regulations governing preparation, storage, and sanitation. For information on permit requirements to serve food at a festival or other special event, call 704-853-5200.

Other related permits may be required for your event, such as:

Temporary Road Closure Permit PDF – Required when a City street or right-of-way will be blocked. Application due at least 10 business days prior to the event. Requires signatures of affected residents and/or businesses. Fee is $30.00.
Noise Permit PDF – Required when outdoor amplification will be used or when noise from the event travels across property lines. Required at least 10 days prior to the event. Fee is $5.00.
Tent/Canopy Permit PDF – Required when a tent or canopy is erected at the site (applies to tents over 120 sq. ft. and canopies over 400 sq. ft. only). See attached tent and canopy brochure PDF for other exceptions and safety information. Application due at least 5 business days prior to the event. Fee is $126.00.
Noise Permit

Permitting large events, such as carnivals, circuses, and rodeos

Larger events, including but not limited to, carnivals, circuses and rodeos may only be approved by city council following a public hearing to determine that the event will be safe and not have a negative impact on adjoining properties.

All application materials must be submitted at least 9 business days prior to a regularly scheduled city council meeting (prior to the event). Supporting materials include:

a sketch plan detailing the proposed location of the event,
a tax map showing the subject property and all adjacent properties,
a description of the event, including the event sponsors, duration, and hours of operation, and
any city services that are desired, including public safety personnel, utility provision, or trash pickup.

** If the event is a reoccurring event that will take place at the same location as previously permitted, the city manager may approve the permit (with no public hearing), provided:

(1) The event is managed by the same company as the previously permitted event.
(2) The event is essentially identical in scope, size, and character as the previously permitted event.
(3) The previous event generated no significant complaints from the public.
(4) The previous event concluded not more than 13 months prior to the recurring event.
(5) The permit application and all supporting documentation at least 8 business days prior to the event.

In the event that any of the above conditions are not fulfilled, a public hearing shall be required.

Rotary Pavilion

Pavilion Brochure

Pavilion Rental Agreement

In Kind Services

The below forms require Acrobat Reader 7.0

Click Here To Download Adobe Acrobat reader

Policy of In Kind Services(.pdf file)
Application Form for In Kind Services (.pdf file)
Final Narrative Report (.pdf file)