Overview
The Special Events Division manages the City's special event programs including planning and oversight. This division coordinates with other City departments for logistical support for events including security, clean-up, barricades, fencing, first-aid, permits and use of City facilities. Special Events serves as the liaison and is the primary contact between City departments and the organizer.
Quick Links
Apply4
The City of Roswell accepts applications for special events and
film/video/media production using Apply4, an online service.
A Special Event is any activity that will either affect the ordinary use of parks, public streets, rights-of-way, or sidewalks, disrupt the flow of traffic on public streets or sidewalks, or include alcohol service or sales where it is not normally permitted. Events on private property which will make no use of city streets other than for lawful parking do not require a special event permit.
Film/Video/Media Production Permits
A permit is necessary for any individual or company interested in media production (film, video, or large-scale photography) on City property within the city limits of Roswell. Production permits will not be considered without a 48 hour lead time.
**Student projects must have an email from the supervising professor to verify current enrollment status before a permit is issued. Applications will not be processed until this correspondence is received. While there is not a permit fee for student projects, there will be fees associated with any City services required.
Applications will not be considered submitted until the non-refundable application fee has been paid.
Special Events
The fee for all special event applications is
$150 if City services are required (Police, Fire, Transportation equipment, Park or City Hall rental, etc.) and
$50 if they are not. The application fee covers the cost of staff review of the application/event plan and may not be waived.
Film/Video/Media Production
The fee for all filming/video/media production applications is a
non-refundable $250.
Applications must be reviewed by the public safety departments and any other departments affected by the event. There are times when changes to the event, including the date and time, may be necessary due to other events in the area or public safety concerns. For these reasons, applications should be submitted as follows: not less than two (2) weeks, prior to an event if City resources are not required, not less than thirty (30) days prior to a recurring event if City resources are required, and not less than sixty (60) days prior to a new event or recurring event with a change in venue/route if City resources are required. Applications may be submitted up to a year prior to the event and early submission is encouraged in order to secure your preferred date since the City can only accommodate one road closure per day. Any advertising of your event prior to receiving all the necessary approvals is done
at your own risk since any number of details of your event, including the date and time, may be changed through the review process.
After a complete application is submitted, it will be sent to the public safety and other affected departments for review. This can take up to two (2) weeks depending on the volume of applications and the complexity of each event. During the review process, departments will determine if there are conditions to the permit (public safety measures, time limitations, property requirements, etc.) and/or the amount of City resources (staff, equipment, etc.) required for your event. Approval of your event will depend on availability of City resources.
If no City resources are required, the permit will be issued with any applicable conditions. If City resources are required, the organizer will receive a statement of what is to be paid directly to staff at the event. Each staff person working the event shall be paid for a minimum of 4 hours.
A pre-event meeting between the organizer and key staff members will be held prior to the event.
Approved Low-impact Race Routes
If you are applying for a road race, you must have at least 250 runners/walkers at your event to be eligible for a road closure. The following are low-impact routes which have been identified by the Police and Transportation Departments which require a limited amount of staff/equipment. These low-impact routes average a cost of $2,000.
Road races must start no later than 7:30am for a 5k and 7am for a 10k. The Roswell Department of Transportation will cone all road races. All races are required to start 30 minutes after sunrise.
Special Events Calendar & Restricted Dates
2020 Restricted Dates
- March 14, 21
- April 16, 18, 25, 26
- May 2, 3, 8, 16, 21
- June 6, 12, 18, 20
- July 3, 4, 5, 17, 22
- August 14, 20, 22, 25
- September 11, 17
- October 4, 9, 15
Frequently Asked Questions
