Special Event Permits

Is your Lakewood Community Group interested in holding a special event on public property?  If so, you will need to apply for a special event permit. There is a $300.00 application fee required for a special event permit.  In addition to this fee, the applicant is responsible for the payment of all other expenses incurred by the city for assistance with the event.

A Lakewood Community Group is defined as a group organized for the purpose other than to generate income for profit who maintains a business address within the City of Lakewood.  An Event Applicant must provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 and have the City of Lakewood listed as the “Additional Insured.”

Permits are issued through the Lakewood Police Department.  To receive an application or if you have questions related to the special event permit process, please reach out to Lt. Deucher in the Police Department at 216-529-6781 or via email william.deucher@lakewoodoh.net.

Applications must be received by March 15, 2024 for all 2024 special event permits.

2024 SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT – RULES & REGULATIONS 

1. Application Fee:  Every Parade or Special Event which takes place in the city shall be required to file a Parade and Special Event Permit Application and pay a non-refundable Application Fee of $300.00.  Permit fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (to future dates or other user groups).  Cancellations must be reported promptly.  Failure to report cancellations will result in revocation of the permit and denial of subsequent additional permits.
2. Approval Considerations:  In addition to the criteria provided in Section 557.04 of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances, the Special Event approval process will measure the following:

1. • The City’s long-term return on this investment
   • How the event engages citizens in education and/or entertainment
   • Whether the event promotes the city’s welfare and economic development
   • Whether the event is a fundraiser and how effective the fundraiser is for the non-profit recipient
   • The location and time of the event and how many similar events are scheduled (it is the intent of the city to limit the number of runs/races which occur in the city to 12 races per year)
   • The overtime cost of city employees to work these events and the cost of expenses to the city.
   • The impact and conflict the event will cause the affected neighborhoods.

1. Security:  Police personnel used for security at any Special Event must be provided by the Event Applicant. Off-duty police officers should be arranged directly by the Event Applicant by contacting Lt. Deucher of the Police Department at
   (216) 529-6781, who will provide you with the number of off-duty officers you will need based on the information in the Special Event Application and will provide you with a contact to make arrangements for securing off-duty police officers.
2. Applicant’s Authorized Representative Day of:  Event Applicants shall provide the name and day-of contact information for the Applicant’s Authorized Representative who will be overseeing the event from start to finish.  The authorized representative will remain at the event until all participants and vendors have left and all trash has been collected and properly removed.
3. Event Schematic: Draft schematic should be submitted with the application.  A final schematic of the event set-up shall be provided to the city representative at least 30 days prior to the event to obtain approval for location of equipment, portable bathrooms, activity, and vending locations as well as to make a final determination of all Public Works needs, crowd control equipment, security updates and to create a logistics plan for loading and unloading of event equipment.
4. Frequency of Events: Only one special event permit will be issued per weekend.
5. Music Equipment:  All sound equipment used for events must be respectful of neighboring residences and the Lakewood Codified Ordinances including Chapter 515.  All sound equipment should be directed away from private residences when possible.
6. Language & Conduct:  Loud, vulgar, confrontational language is not permitted on public property.  Applicant is fully responsible for conduct of all spectators, as well as participants, and will be required to provide identifiable adult supervision/security.
7. Alcohol & Liquor Permits:  Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all areas of parks or public right-of-ways unless approved by this permit and upon successfully obtaining the appropriate liquor license for such event.
8. Other Licensing & Permits:  It is the obligation of the Applicant to obtain all necessary permits associated with the event including but not limited to:  building permits/fire department inspections for tents or other temporary structures, building permits for any electrical or plumbing plans (if any), state liquor permits, fire department permit for fireworks, and to ensure appropriate licensing is in place for food vendors and that appropriate drone permits are obtained for aerial photography.
9. Cleanup of Grounds:  All parks and public right-of-ways must be left in a clean and orderly condition at the conclusion of any special event.  Clean up means pickup and bagging of all litter, debris or other trash directly attributable to the special event activities. Bagged trash or debris shall be deposited in areas agreed to with the city, for pick up by the city.
10. Hold Harmless & Liability Insurance:  Applicants will sign a Hold Harmless Agreement and will be required to provide Liability Insurance and proof of naming the City of Lakewood as an Additional Insured for the event.
11. Applicant Expenses: Applications for any special events which are not city sponsored special events will be responsible for the payment of all other expenses incurred by the city for assistance with the event.  An estimate for those expenses will be provided by the city to the applicant prior to the event.  A final accounting of such expenses will be provided within thirty (30) days of the event completion date, and any outstanding payment due from Applicant shall be paid immediately.
12. Parks: Special Event Permits will not be issued for Lakewood Park from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Staking of any kind which includes tenting, guide wires, grounding rods, tethering lines, and/or sign posts is strictly prohibited unless approved by the Public Works Director.  Fastening or attaching any rope, sign, banner, flyer or other object to any tree, shrub, or natural amenities in the parks is prohibited.  Applicants shall ensure that their guests, vendors, concessionaries, and exhibitors shall not park or drive vehicles on grass or sidewalks unless approved in advance by the Public Works Director or the Police.