Frequently Asked Questions

Events with guests and any setup taking place on public property require a special event permit from the Town Clerk's Office. Small, quick wedding ceremonies or engagement events at parks or beaches are included.

Special event means any meeting, activity, walk/run, or gathering of a group of persons having a common purpose, design or goal, upon any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, beach or other public place or building, which special event substantially inhibits the usual flow of pedestrian or vehicular travel or which occupies any public area or building, which results in preempted use by the general public or which deviates from the established use.

Please review Article VII. Special Events on Public Property for more information.

Apply for a Permit

Yes, we do allow items to be temporarily placed on the beach. However, these items will need to be approved by the Public Works Department as a part of the application review process. Photos of any furniture or structures that will be temporarily placed on the property are required, or images providing a general idea of what these items will look like. We also ask that you also provide a detailed site plan showing the layout of the special event, including parking areas. Meetings with Public Works staff may also be required before and after the event to inspect the intended site.

Yes, music is permitted at a reasonable noise level. For specific decibel requirements, please review Section 42.226-228 of the Town Code.

Yes, all Special Events require a Certificate of Insurance to be submitted naming the Town of Palm Beach as an additional insured under the General Liability policy with limits not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence, $2,000,000.00 aggregate, or an amount higher based upon the particular Special Event proposed. The event name, location, and date must be added in the Description of Operations box at the bottom of the proof of insurance form. There shall also be a 30-day notice of cancellation. 

The following public locations are accepted public venues for Special Events in the town:

• Bradley Park
• Worth Avenue Clock Tower
• Midtown Public Beach - along South Ocean Boulevard between Royal Palm Way and Gulfstream Road
• Peruvian Park/Mayor Lesly S. Smith Park 

The following parks are no longer available for Special Events:

• Lake Drive Park
• Memorial Park
• Phipps Ocean Park

If you have another public location in mind that is not listed, please contact the Town Clerk's Office for verification that this space is available for use for Special Events.

Please keep in mind that each location may only be used for a Special Event once per month, and that reservations will be granted on a first-come-first-serve basis to the first person to submit a completed application selecting that month and location.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to adjust the date of your permit due to weather conditions after the permit has been issued. Please keep the possibility of rain in mind when planning for your event.

• Permit Requirement: Necessary for all video production or photography for commercial purposes on public property (e.g., public streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, etc.).
• Location and Time Restrictions:
  • Allowed only in commercial districts, prohibited in residential districts
  • Prohibited between 8:00–10:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m.
• Personal/Family Filming Exemption: Operations under one hour for personal use only with ≤15 participants and limited equipment (hand-held only, no more than one tripod) are exempt.
• Application Process:
  • Applications must be approved by the Town Council
  • Must be submitted no less than 20 business days prior to the council meeting
  • Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month, with occasional exceptions; check the public meeting calendar to confirm the date

Apply for a Commercial Filming Permit

All Town Clerk/Event permits applications on our online permit portal. Instructions on how to apply for a permit online are available here. 

This permit is required to request, either directly or indirectly, for money, credit, property, financial assistance or any other thing of value on the representation that it will be used for a charitable purpose. These charitable purposes may includes any patriotic, philanthropic, religious, social service-related, welfare-related, benevolent, educational, civic or fraternal cause.

Food drives, toy drives or school supply collections traditionally undertaken in the town prior to the implementation of this permit will not require a charitable solicitation permit.

Please view Chapter 78, Article III. Charitable Solicitations for more information. 

Apply for a Permit

You must attend a mandatory appointment with staff before submitting your online application to first confirm that your documentation is correct: BOOK HERE

• Do not submit if your application is incomplete or you have not attended a meeting.
• Fees are calculated based on when your application is complete.
• If submitted incomplete before the 60-day deadline, you will not be invoiced until it is complete, and the completion date will determine your fee.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND EXAMPLE LINKS:

• An up-to-date Solicitation of Contributions State Registration
• Any applicable licenses and contracts (e.g. caterer's license, event location liquor license, auctioneer's license, and/or promoter's license and contract)
• Your organization's 501(c)(3) documentation
• A resolution granting authority to hold this fund-raising event. The resolution must state the location and date of the event and can be signed by any single board member or the entire board. Minutes of your organization's board meeting where authority was given are also acceptable if the location and time were documented
• Evidence that the necessary number of crowd control managers will be present at your event Crowd Control FAQ

This permit is required to erect and display an unattended symbol related to a religious holiday. Bradley Park is designated as the only location for these displays, and they will only be permitted between the day after Thanksgiving and January 10. Additional permits may be required if the display will be erected in connection with a special event.

Please review Article VII., Section 106-288. Religious Holiday Symbol Permits for more information.

Apply for a Permit

This permit is required for any auction held within the Town, except those that are held in connection with a charitable solicitation permit application.

Please review Chapter 94, Article II. Auctions and Auctioneers for more information.

Apply for a Permit

This permit is required to advertise or conduct a closeout/distress sale in the Town of Palm Beach.

Please review Chapter 94, Article III for more information.

Apply for a Permit

Upon receipt of your application, the Town Clerk's office will conduct an initial review. Please provide all requested additional documentation along with with your application. If any additional information or documentation is needed, the Town Clerk's Office will reach out to you. Please note that delays in providing these items may result in a delay in the approval process. You will also receive an email with an invoice and a link to pay the application fee online. Once payment and all needed information has been received, your application will be distributed to all relevant Town departments for review. During the review process you will be notified if any additional information, permits or licenses will be required. Otherwise, should your application be accepted, you will receive a link to your permit via email.

Please review  Chapter 10, Article 1 of the Town Code of Ordinances to view the town's regulations concerning temporary animal permits.

Apply for a Permit

All events require one trained crowd control manager (CCM). An additional CCM is required for every additional 250 attendees.

• If your venue provides trained CCMs, please include your contract or record of your communication with them confirming the number of CCMs they will be providing with your application. If not, Palm Beach fire staff can be hired to fulfill this requirement by contacting mdeloach@townofpalmbeach.com.
• CCM(s) must be present for the entire event with no other responsibilities. 

For questions about CCM requirements, please contact the Town Clerk's Office at 561-838-5416.

To acquire a Certificate of Insurance (COI), contact your insurance provider or agent and request the specific coverage requirements corresponding with your permit type listed below. Your insurer will prepare the COI and send it to you for submission with your permit application. If you do not have insurance, consider reaching out to local insurance agents who can help you obtain the necessary coverage. We will then submit your COI for approval and contact you if any edits are needed prior to your event.

• Temporary Animal Permits:

  • Certificate of Insurance required, endorsing the Town of Palm Beach as additional insured under Comprehensive General Liability policy with limits of at least $5,000,000 per occurrence.
  • Waiver of subrogation and rights of recovery against the Town of Palm Beach required.
  • Insurance must be primary and non-contributory.
  • No recourse against the Town for payments on any policy.
  • No certificate required for petting zoo events.
  • Event name, location, and date must be included in the Description of Operations box on the proof of insurance form.
  • Example COI

• Special Event and minor Commercial Filming Permits:

  • Comprehensive General Liability Insurance required with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
  • Certificate must indicate occurrence basis and endorse the Town of Palm Beach as additional insured.
  • Waiver of subrogation and rights of recovery against the Town required.
  • Insurance must be primary and non-contributory.
  • No recourse against the Town for payments on any policy.
  • Additional coverages and limits may be required based on the event.
  • Higher limits maintained by the applicant must be covered.
  • For filming permits, you will not be required to submit a COI until your application has been approved by the Town Council. 
  • Example COI

• Large-scale Commercial Filming Permits:

  • Comprehensive General Liability Insurance required with limits of at least $10,000,000 per occurrence, endorsing the Town as additional insured.
  • Waiver of subrogation and rights of recovery against the Town required.
  • Insurance must be primary and non-contributory.
  • No recourse against the Town for payments on any policy.
  • Aviation coverage required with limits of at least $100,000,000 per occurrence if aircraft is involved.
  • Marine coverage required with limits of at least $25,000,000 per occurrence if watercraft is involved.
  • Town Council may increase limits and request additional coverages as necessary.
  • For filming permits, you will not be required to submit a COI until your application has been approved by the Town Council.