Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If you are planning a special event on the public right-of-way in Key West, you typically need a permit. 

Sec. 6-26 -- The organizer or sponsor of any festival, street fair, fair, carnival, athletic event, contest, competition, parade, fundraiser, rally, boat or car race or other special event which requires city authorization, whether by administrative permit or city commission approval, and which requires the provision of additional or extraordinary support services by police, fire, administrative, or other city departments in order to maintain order or safety or to escort participants shall pay to the city the cost of such services. A down payment of ten percent of the costs, as estimated by the city manager, shall be made to the city either by certified check or credit card at least ten days prior to the event.

You can submit your application no later than 60 days before the special event.  For instance, if you're participating in a 5k run on August 15, 2024, applications are accepted from January 1, 2024, until June 1, 2024.  The Community Services/Special Events Manager must receive an application for a major festival at least six months before the event.

Sec. 6-58 -- Major festivals are Fantasy Fest, Hemingway Days, Goombay Festival, Conch Republic Celebration, the Poker Run, the Valentine's Day event for Wesley House, the Red Ribbon event at Mangoes, and such other special events as may be added or subtracted by resolution of the city commission. 

Sec. 6-56 -- If the special event proposes to close only one block, is intended to end before 9:00 PM on any day of the year, and does not seek either a cost waiver or a noise exemption, the city manager may give final approval to the application.

Sec. 26-192. -- Events that expect to exceed decibel levels set for their area must get a Noise Exemption from the City Commission.  Noise Exemptions cannot be issued for the same location within 60 days of the last noise exemption approval.

Sec. 26-199. -- Notice of the city commission's proposed action on an application for a permit for a temporary (waiver) shall be mailed before the meeting at which the matter is to be considered to all property owners located within a 100-foot radius of the proposed waiver.  Notice of such proposed action also shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city at least five days before the date of the city commission decision.  The notice shall identify a contact person and phone number for complaints.  The applicant shall pay for the newspaper advertisement.