Special Event Permit Process

Food Trucks lined along street with families walking along sidewalk

A Special Event requiring the use of public property within the city limits of Lakeland requires a permit. A special event is a planned activity by a group on city property, such as a block party, parade, race, festival, etc., that is open to the general public.

To obtain a Special Event Permit

You will be required to:

1. Obtain authorization for your Special Event from the City of Lakeland Special Event Review Team by visiting the iMS permitting portal: iMS | City of Lakeland (lakelandgov.net).

2. Provide proof of insurance coverage for your Special Event by providing a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with the City of Lakeland Listed as "additionally insured" for no less than one million dollars. Other requirements may be needed pending Risk Management Review.

3. In some cases, you will be required to employ LPD police personnel for "extra-duty detail" work*; this determination is made on a case-by-case review of the permit logistics. If required or requested, an Extra Duty Detail Request Form must be filled out.
*If hiring police personnel, please ensure the application is notarized before returning it.

Important Info

The Special Event Review Team is no longer accepting previous versions of the permit application. All events must be submitted through the iMS permitting portal. (See the next section for a how-to document and helpful tips.)
Street Closure requests must be submitted at least (2) weeks before the event date.
At this time, we are not closing streets for private block parties.
The completed application must be in the permit portal no later than 30 business days before the event. No exceptions.

Submitting Your Permit Application

Complete your permit application by visiting the iMS permitting portal: iMS | City of Lakeland (lakelandgov.net)

iMS How To's PDF
Once you have set up your account in iMS, navigate to the "Create a Permit" button. Once on that screen, scroll down to the "Special Event" option and select.
Page one of the process contains the "Supplemental Forms" you must upload into the permit portal. Depending on your event needs, you will upload specific documents to be completed and uploaded before your permit application can be approved. You do not need to have all forms uploaded to move forward with the permit and start the initial steps.

Contact Info

For additional information, email SpecialEventQuestions@lakelandgov.net