Outdoor Event Permits are required for larger scale outdoor events including music, dance, sport, food, performing arts or any similar outdoor festival activity likely to impact more than two municipal services. Municipal services include but are not limited to: parks, business licensing, transportation, fire prevention, inspection services and energy & environmental services.
Application Information
An application fee of $288.75 (GST included) is required for all for-profit organizations. Non-profit hosted events that provide a Certificate of Incorporation do not pay an application fee. Additional fees may apply for some booking sites and other required permits.
All applications must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the event start date. Please see applicable event fees in the table below.
Item Applicable Application Form Fee Event Permit (for-profit) Outdoor Event Permit Form $288.75 (GST included) Event Permit (non-profit) Outdoor Event Permit Form Free Barricade Fee (for-profit) N/A $210.00 per event Barricade Fee (non-profit) N/A 80% of $210.00 per event Garbage and Recycling Fee (for-profit) N/A $105.00 Garbage and Recycling Fee (non-profit) N/A 80% of $105.00 per event Tent Inspections Commercial Building Permit Application $100.00 + $4.50 Safety Codes Levy Fee Per Tent Stage Inspections Commercial Building Permit Application $100.00 + $4.50 Safety Codes Levy Fee Per Stage Portable Generator over 10,000 Watts Subtrade Permit Application $100.00 + $4.50 Safety Codes Levy Fee Per Generator Liquor AGLC Liquor Licence Application Special Event Licenses range from $10.00 to $500.00 Vehicle Access Vehicular Access Permit Application No Fee Please see the Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw C-1395 for a complete list of all City of Grande Prairie fees.
All Outdoor Event Permit applications require detailed site and/or route maps upon submission. Applicants will be made aware of all additional requirements by administration.
All requirements must be met no later than two weeks prior to the event start date. Failure to meet the specified timeframe may result in the cancellation of your event.
All Outdoor Event Permit applications must include a certificate of insurance evidencing commercial general liability insurance is in place against claims for personal injuries, deaths, or property damage in an amount of not less than $2 million per occurrence with the City of Grande Prairie listed as additional insured.
$5 million per occurrence may be required as a result of high-risk activities or the inclusion of alcohol during your event. You will be notified if $5 million liability insurance is required.
Outdoor Event Permits can be filled out by downloading the fillable PDF here.
Please submit your completed Outdoor Event Permit Application Form, along with the applicable non-refundable Application Fee to eventpermits@cityofgp.com.
Administration will advise you if your event requires a site visit. Site visits may include administration including Recreation & Culture, Inspection Services, Fire Prevention, Parks or other municipal services.
If a site visit is required, you will be provided with a date and time for your site visit. Your event site and all amenities must be completely set up prior to your site visit. If any adjustments are required, you will be provided with a timeframe in which these adjustments must be made. Failure to comply within the specified timeframe may result in the cancellation of your event.
Event Amenities and Activities - Checklist
All amenities and activities must be approved by administration no later than two weeks prior to the start of your event. Click the drop-down menus below for amenities and activities that will pertain to your event.
Food Trucks
- Determine if any first rights of refusal apply to event location and confirm proposed locations for parking food trucks with administration.
- Provide administration with a list of all attending food trucks. Food trucks may be required to fill out additional forms to park on City property.
Food Services
- Complete Alberta Health Services Food Vendor Notification Form.
- Apply for a Liquor Licence from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (1-800-272-8876) or request proof of liquor license from third-party.
- Provide proof of liquor license to administration.
- Contact Fire Prevention at 780-538-0400 for serving location capacity/occupant load.
- Contact administration at eventpermits@cityofgp.com to confirm if business license is required.
- Provide proof of business license if required.
- Contact administration to determine if noise permit is required as per the Noise, Nuisance and Public Disturbances Bylaw C-1103.
- Complete the 'amplified music' section on the Outdoor Event Permit application form.
- SOCAN & ReSound fees apply - determine if fees are collected under rental or use permit.
- Complete a Commercial Building Permit for any tents or canopies larger than 10’x10'.
- Contact Alberta One Call (1-800-242-3447) for line locating if spiking or staking.
- Contact Aquatera for water line locating.
- Contact administration to determine if any other inspections are required. Please note that some locations may require additional inspection from departments such as Energy and Environment.
- Complete Commercial Building Permit for any stages exceeding 4ft (48in) in height
- Determine where each item will be sourced from
- Confirm all structures with administration
- Confirm if electrical access is available at your requested location.
- Advise administration of any generators you are supplying.
- Complete Subtrade Permit Application for any generators exceeding 10,000 Watts.
- Identify security provider.
- Identify First Aid provider.
- Include detailed health and safety plan with application.
- Advise administration of any fire pits, fire dancers, etc.
- Complete Open Air Burning Permit Application for any fire pits.
- Complete Fire Show Performer Permission Form for any fire dancers or fire shows.
- Create detailed fire safety plan. A Fire Safety Plan Template can be found on the City website.
- Contact Fire Prevention at 780-538-0400 for applicable permits
- Ensure all barricades and other roadway disruptions are included on your event site map/route map.
- Complete a Vehicular Access Permit Application
- Please complete the online Mayor and Council Attendance Request Form
Event Planning Tools & Websites
Check out the City of Grande Prairie event calendar to see upcoming events.
Community calendars are a great way to view upcoming events! Want to submit an event to be included on a community calendar? Visit each community calendar to see submission availability and/or criteria:
Eventbrite is an event ticketing website that is free for users.
Social Tables is an event management website that allows users to create site plans, attendee lists, and store documents related to your event.
Questions?
Contact eventpermits@cityofgp.com or call 780-357-8710 with any questions about the Outdoor Event Permit application process.