The City Of El Paso, Texas - www.elpasotexas.gov

The City of El Paso welcomes the opportunity to host and facilitate events on City right-of-way. Located in the One-Stop Shop, City Special Events coordinates the permitting process to host events on City streets. Below is an overview of the different permits available. Further information regarding the process and requirements for each permit can be found in the application packets.

EVENT ORIENTATION

Want to host a public event in El Paso, but don't know where to start? LEARN, MEET and EARN with the DWNTWN & City Event Orientation! The Downtown Management District has partnered with the City of El Paso to provide free orientation sessions on how to host an event in El Paso.

LEARN how to navigate the process, MEET the people and departments that review event applications and find out how to EARN free money to host an event! The sessions are provided four times per year and registration is required. Check the registration page for the latest information on upcoming sessions.

REGISTER FOR THE NEXT ORIENTATION »

Downtown Special Privilege

If your event takes place in the El Paso Downtown Plan area and does NOT qualify as a Parade (see below), you will need to obtain a Special Privilege License from the Downtown Management District. To determine if your event is part of the El Paso Downtown Plan, please see the map on the right. Please contact the DMD at (915) 400-2294 or visit their website at www.downtownelpaso.com.

Parades

A Parade Permit is required for any procession, athletic event, march, demonstration, pageant, race/walk or other similar event taking place on City right-of-way (street, alley or sidewalk).

REQUIREMENTS: Processing takes a minimum of two weeks unless a LATE application is submitted.

• COMPLETE APPLICATION – All complete applications must be submitted a minimum of 7 days in advance of the event. Applications submitted less than 30 days in advance will be assessed a late fee. Applications cannot be accepted less than 7 days before the event.
• ROUTE DESCRIPTION – Application must include a written turn-by-turn description of the route.
• ROUTE MAP – Application must include a clear copy of a map outlining the proposed route.

Please see Additional Considerations for information on other rules and requirements that may apply to your event.

FEES: Application and late fees are non-refundable.

• Application Fee: $60.00
• Late Fee: $60.00
• Additional Fees: Applicant is responsible for paying all costs associated with services performed by the City, including Police and Cleaning Services. Please see Additional Considerations.

CITY SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM (PARADES)

Through the City Sponsorship Program, parade applicants may receive sponsorship of a portion or all City fees associated with a parade event. The application period is open from January 1 through March 31. Events must take place during the following fiscal year, from September 1 through August 31. Specific restrictions and requirements apply. Please see the application packet for complete details.

REQUIREMENTS:

• COMPLETE PROGRAM APPLICATION – A completed City Sponsorship Program Eligibility Application must be submitted with the application. Specific event restrictions and requirements apply. Please see the application packet for complete details.
• COMPLETE PARADE APPLICATION – A Parade Application must be included, in addition to the Eligibility Application.
• ROUTE DESCRIPTION – Application must include a clear copy of a map outlining the proposed route.
• ENTRY FORM – A copy of the latest event participant entry form must be included.

Please see Additional Considerations for information on other rules and requirements that may apply to your event. More information will be provided to applicants after the application has been submitted.

FEES: Application fee is non-refundable.

• Application Fee: $60.00
• Additional Fees: Applications deemed ineligible for sponsorship will be processed as a normal Parade Application, and the applicant will be responsible for all fees associated with City services. The applicant is responsible for all costs and fees not sponsored through this program. The sponsorship amount will be provided after program acceptance and approval.

Temporary Events

A Temporary Event License is required for any block party, bazaar, carnival, street display, street dance, street festival, special event, athletic event or any similar event that meets ALL of the following:

1. Lasts 24 hours or less.
2. Takes place on City right-of-way (street, alley or sidewalk).
3. Does NOT exceed one city block or intersection.
4. Proposed closure is in a residentially zoned area.
5. Closure request is made by residents or property owners adjacent to the proposed closure OR by a neighborhood association.

REQUIREMENTS: Processing takes a minimum of two weeks unless a LATE application is submitted.

• COMPLETE APPLICATION – All complete applications must be submitted a minimum of 14 days in advance of the event. All applications submitted less than 30 days in advance will be assessed a late fee.
• SIGNATURES – You must collect the signatures of all property owners or residents adjacent to the proposed closure. If there are multiple residents in a single building, you may elect to collect either one signature from the PROPERTY OWNER or one signature from EACH RESIDENT OR TENANT. Form is included in the application packet.
• TRAFFIC CONTROL APPLICATION – A complete traffic control application must be submitted with the temporary event application. A traffic control plan demonstrating all traffic re-routing and appropriate barricades & signs must be included. Standard templates are available in the application packet. If the templates do not fit the closure, you must contract a traffic control company to draft a traffic control plan for you.

Please see Additional Considerations for information on other rules and requirements that may apply to your event.

FEES: Application and late fees are non-refundable.

• Application Fee: $60.00
• Late Fee: $60.00
• Additional Fees: Applicant is responsible for paying all costs associated with all services performed by the City, including Police and Cleaning Services. Please see Additional Considerations below.

Additional Considerations

Not all events will require these additional fees and requirements. All applications are reviewed and must be approved by all City Departments. The City may impose additional requirements to address health and safety & welfare concerns.

• PAYMENT FOR ADDITONAL FEES – An estimate for all city services applicable to the event will be provided before the permits are issued. A deposit of ½ the total estimate must be paid before the permit can be issued. The remainder will be billed to the applicant after the event.
• PARKS – If your event or event participants will use any portion of any park property, you will need to obtain a Parks Permit. Please contact Parks & Recreation at 915-541-4331 for more information.
• CITY COUNCIL – Applications that involve alcohol, certain park usages or State right-of-way for longer than four hours must be approved by City Council. This may add 1-2 weeks to the processing time of an application.
• POLICE – The El Paso Police Department will evaluate all applications and determine if officers are needed. You may elect to have services provided by certified peace officers other than El Paso Police officers. If so, a letter on department letterhead from the chief of the organization providing the service must be submitted with the application.
• TRAFFIC CONTROL – The Department of Transportation and the El Paso Police Department will evaluate all applications and determine if barricades and signs will be required. Barricading and signing shall comply with provisions set forth in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. If required, you will need to contract a third-party barricade company to provide the signs and devices. You have the option of installing the signs and devices yourself, or contracting the company to install them for you. The applicant is responsible for all fees associated with the barricade company. You can find available companies in the phone directory under "Traffic Control" or "Barricades."
• ALCOHOL – If alcohol will be served or consumed on City right-of-way, insurance, City Council approval and additional requirements may be needed. In addition, if alcohol will be sold, you will need to obtain licensing from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Please contact our office for more information.
• INSURANCE – Insurance is required for all Special Privilege applications, State right-of-way usage over four hours and for any event serving, consuming or selling alcohol on City right-of-way. The Certificate of Insurance must be included with the application upon submission. The City of El Paso must be listed as a Named Insured on the certificate and must meet the following coverage: $1,000,000 General Commercial Liability for personal injury/death per occurrence, $1,000,000 General aggregate AND $1,000,000 Property damage. If using a State roadway for more than four hours, Texas requires the following coverage: $600,000 General Commercial Liability; Optional (if applicable): Workman’s compensation (Statutory limit), $250,000 Business Automobile Liability per person, $500,000 Business Automobile Bodily Injury, AND $100,000 Business Automobile Property Damage. Certificate of Insurance Form 1560 is also required when using a State road for more than four hours.
• CANCELLATIONS – Cancellations must be submitted to the City of El Paso IN WRITING (fax, email or in-person) at least 24 hours prior to the start date and time of the event. Deposits and applicable fees will be refunded. A $30 administrative fee will apply.