Permits
Depending on the activities you plan, how many people will be at your event, or the park you plan to hold you winter get-together in, you may need a permit – or two! Activities on community open spaces and parkland require several weeks’ notice. Permits for larger events can take 6-8 weeks to process, so start planning early!
Size of Group
You will need a permit if your group has 50 or more people.
Activities
You might need permission or a permit for the following activities. Your NRC or F&E Liaison can help you with applications.
- Cooking of food for distribution or sale
- Delivery vehicles on parkland
- Fires
- Fireworks
- Sleigh rides
- Tents and other temporary structures (e.g. stages, archways, bouncy castles) larger than 10 m or higher than 3.7 m (12’), especially if they will be in place for longer than 24 hours
Note: Bylaw 2202 prohibits alcohol consumption and limits the sale of food, drink or merchandise on parkland. However, special requests can be made through your NRC or F&E Liaison for both activities.
Alberta Health Services Food Handling Permit
If you’re hosting an event that’s open to the public, you will probably need a Food Handling Permit. Talk to your NRC or F&E Liaison, or contact Alberta Health Services at 811. They will need four to six weeks to process your application.
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Type of Location
- Private land
- Community hall or rink
- School yard
- Street, back alley, cul-de-sac
- Parkland in river valley
- Parkland outside river valley
- Public square/plaza
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Whom to Contact
- Not needed
- Community league or NRC
- NRC
- NRC or F&E Liaison
- F&E Liaison
- NRC
- F&E Liaison
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is required for events on city property. Check with your community league or NRC about this. If your event is a sponsored community league event, the league’s insurance may cover you. If not, you may wish to check with your home insurance. Temporary insurance may also be available – check with your community league or NRC.