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What is a Special Event?

The term “special event” is used to describe a broad range of activities planned to mark special occasions or to achieve specific social, cultural, or economic objectives. The term “special event” is applied to civic, provincial, or national celebrations, cultural performances or gatherings, sports contests, and a wide range of commercial or corporate functions.

In Shelburne, the term “special event” is recognized to mean different things to different people.

  • For the event organizer, a special event is typically a one-time or infrequently occurring event outside their normal routine or activities and has a predetermined opening and closing date/time.
  • For the Town of Shelburne, a special event indicates an activity that occurs outside its normal programming and often requires the dedication of additional resources.
  • For the resident a special event is an opportunity for a leisure, recreational, social, or cultural experience.

Note: activities not meeting these criteria may still be permitted to occur as private rental functions and may still be subject to some or all the policies, procedures and requirements outlined in this document.

Do I need to apply for a Special Event Permit? 

You will need to apply for a Special Event Permit if you wish to hold your event on any outdoor property owned or operated by the Town of Shelburne.  This includes;

  • Roads / road allowances (street festivals, parades and races) not including MTO connecting link (Highway 10 and or Highway 89)
  • Parks and parkettes
  • Sports fields
  • Parking lots
  • Alleyways, back lanes, both assumed and un-assumed
  • Walkways, pathways and trails
  • Open spaces

and

  • Food being given or sold to the general public at an event open to the public
  • Sale and / or consumption of alcohol at an event open to the public
  • Sound amplification
  • Tents larger than 30m2 (Fire safety plan is required and possibly a building permit)
  • Stages that are more than 225m2 in area (note building permit may be required)
  • Amusement rides or inflatables
  • Projected attendance of over 150 people

Or

The Town of Shelburne requests you to do so because your event significantly affects municipal services.  This includes events that are held on private property or inside Town-owned facilities.  Affected services can include but are not limited to, fire services, police services, emergency services, public works (roads) etc.

Does my sporting event need a Special Event Permit?

A sport or sporting event is defined as an event where an element of sport is the focus of the completion or celebration.  Typically, the event involves competitors and spectators who have gathered to participate in or watch a sporting event.  A Special Event Permit is required for sport tournaments. To check the availability of a facility, or for more information on booking a sport tournament or sporting event, please contact the Staff Representative, 203 Main Street East, Shelburne Ontario or call 519-925-2600 ext. 261.

Planning Tips and Considerations 
  1. Develop a goal and objective
  2. Set a Date and Pick a place
  3. Create a Plan
  4. Organize a team
  5. Establish a budget
  6. Consider and create a marketing plan
  7. Determine an evaluation process for how you determine the success of the event
  8. Create a clean-up list to wrap up everything at the end
Types of Permits 

Parks and Open Space Permit

A Parks and Open Space Special Event Permit is required if you are planning an event (including weddings) to take place on Town of Shelburne property park(s), open space, etc.). 

To apply:

Special Event Application

Road Permit

A Road Occupancy Permit is required if you are planning an event to take place on a sidewalk/road/street, OR if an event on private property will impact adjacent road(s), traffic, parking, etc. For example: street parties, 5k walks on sidewalks, ½ marathon, etc.

Road permits do not include the MTO connecting link Highway 10 and or Highway 89.

To apply: Road Occupancy Permit (including Sidewalk Allowances) - à Link

Do I need both or just one?

Two separate event permits are required if;

Scenario 1  

1) Your event will take place in a town facility/park/open space, AND,
2) Requires use of a road/sidewalk allowance.

Scenario 2

1)    A) Your event will take place on a road/sidewalk,

OR,

B) Your event on private property will impact adjacent road(s), traffic, parking, etc., AND,

2)    Requires municipal resources or services (garbage bins, utility locates, erection of signage, etc.).

 
Events on Private Property 

A Municipal Private Event Permit is required if your event is taking place on private property and:

1)    You are requesting municipal resources or services (garbage bins, ground locates, erection of signage, etc.); and/or,

2)    The event is likely to impact adjacent road(s), traffic, parking, etc., and/or,

3)    The event is likely to result in elevated noise levels or will generate noise beyond permitted times; and/or,

4)    The event will feature any of the regulated elements outlined as requiring additional event licensing 

o apply:

Special Event Application

Photography and or Videography Permit 

The following information is provided to assist event organizers or individuals interested in conducting newscasts, recreational film shoots (hobby videography), wedding shoots, portfolio film projects or the like in town facilities, park or open space, or on roads in the Town of Shelburne.

Approved hours for photo/video shoots

Per the issuance of the necessary permits, recreational photo/video shoots in the Town of Shelburne shall occur between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on municipal streets and between 8 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on municipal parkland. This time frame is to include the time required for the set-up, photo/video shoot and removal of all equipment and clean up. Photo/video permit requests requiring permission to shoot outside of the designated photo/video shoot hours requires additional town approval.

Drones 

The inclusion of a drone(s) at your event must be approved by the Town of Shelburne. Any drones approved for event use must comply with all Transport Canada drone regulations and protocols.  

Please also see “Council approval” 

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Administrative Office
203 Main Street East
Shelburne, ON L9V 3K7

Phone: 519-925-2600

Fax: 519 -925-6134

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

© 2019 Shelburne

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