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Department of Livability & Tourism 75 Calhoun Street, Suite 3400 843-805-3225 www.charleston-sc.gov
Updated 1/10/2025
Many of the forms and templates needed to complete the application are available as links throughout this application. A detailed event schedule and site plan are required for all events. Other documents that may be required include: Parking Map, Street Blocking Permit, Food and Retail Vendor List, ABL License, Liquor Liability Insurance, Certificate of Insurance, and Neighborhood Notification.
Please review the Special Event Fee Schedule and which fees may apply to your proposed event. Information regarding rates and how to hire off-duty officers for special events can be found here.
NOTE: it may take up to two weeks to process applications for review.
Please select the location of your event. If the location is not listed please select other and you will be given a box to type the location.
Please select all that apply
Please provide a detailed schedule of the proposed event to include dates and times of the event and load-in/out and note the individual responsible for each activity. If needed, a schedule template is provided below. If your event is longer than one day, you will need to provide a detailed schedule for each day.
While computer-drawn site plans are preferred, hand-drawn maps are also acceptable as long as they are clear and legible. Please include a legend in your site plan. Upload your detailed site plan here, noting the location of the following, as applicable:
Diagram of the site to include:
If you need assistance or have questions about the site plan, please contact our office at (843)805-3225. Blank site plan samples and examples are below.
Below are downloadable blank PDF site plans to create your events template site plan. The below files indicate the available access to electricity, water hookups, and more.
You can review an example site plan here.
Please explain in detail parking arrangements for the event. Be sure to list parking garages, lots by name and location.
Please indicate how you plan to address parking and transportation options for the event.
Please provide a detailed explanation of how you are addressing parking and transportation options as indicated above.
Please upload a site plan showing the pickup and drop-off locations for ride share. Hand-drawn site plans will not be accepted.
Please describe the event plan for the shuttle service. Include the number and size of shuttles. Your plan must include a mapped route, including pick-up and drop-off locations. Upload the map to the next field.
Please upload a map that includes the shuttle route and drop-off and pick-up locations. Hand-drawn routes will not be accepted.
Please provide details of the event's parking and exit plan. Upload a map showing the location of parking for the event to include all entrances and exits.
Please complete the Street Blocking Permit request and upload it to the next box. Hand-drawn traffic control plans will not be accepted. If you need assistance, please contact the Special Event Manager.
A Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is required for any requests that include street blocking or traffic control requests. Please upload a map showing the details of the traffic control and street blocking needs for the special event. The TCP should include traffic flow detours, barricades, meter bags, signage, volunteers, and police. Please note that hand-drawn traffic control plans will not be accepted.
If your event is a parade, run/walk or march, please provide a map of the proposed route. Include the direction of participants, line-up area, and the start and finish points.
Computer-drawn maps are preferred.
If yes, the applicant must provide a signed letter of notification to all impacted parties before the special event permit will be issued.
Please note that permits are required for some tents/canopies based on size and configuration. Call the City of Charleston Fire Marshal Division at 843-724-3429 for information. Your site plan must indicate this information.
Please note that permits may be required for stages and bleachers. Call the City of Charleston Building Inspections Division for information 843-973-7257. Your site plan must indicate this information.
You've indicated you will need electricity for your event. Please ensure that you have identified the location of the event's electrical needs on your site plan. Briefly describe your needs here. Please note that electricity is not available in all locations.
Number, Type, Size, Square Footage and Location. Your site plan must indicate this information.
Number, size, material, and location. Your site plan must indicate this information.
All Special Event Vendors are required to obtain a Business License for events within the City of Charleston limits.
A Special Event Vendor is defined as a vendor who sets up a booth or occupies a specific area at a special event, such as, but not limited to, a festival, parade, or exposition for the purposes of selling goods and services at that special event.
If any vendors are not located in the City of Charleston, they are still required to obtain a business license. The application can be found here.
Please call the City's office of Revenue Collections with any questions 843-724-3711.
A Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) is a business that sells food from a cart, trailer, tent, vehicle or similar. This includes caterers, canteens or similar who prep food on site and serve at an outdoor special event or gathering.
A Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) operating in the City of Charleston requires a Business License and a Mobile Food Vendor Operational Permit.
If the vendor is not approved, they may start the permit process by reaching out to the Fire Marshal Division. Vending from the street is not permitted and requires a road closure.
The Fire Marshal Division oversees the Mobile Food Vendor program and maintains an approved list of mobile food vendors.
Please use this template to create your vendor list and upload it to the next box. Include the business name and contact information.
Please upload a list of retail and food vendors. All vendors must have a City of Charleston Business License. Please see the provided information above.
Please indicate the start and end time for alcohol service. Please note that all alcohol sales and service must end 30 minutes prior to the event ending time.
Please upload your Liquor Legal Liability Insurance. List the City of Charleston as additional insured. All alcohol sales and service must end 30 minutes prior to the event ending time.
If you do not have this information at this time, you may submit it to the Special Events Manager by email at a later date.
The temporary license can be requested through the South Carolina Department of Revenue's Alcoholic Licensing Beverage Division. You can review the SCDOR Festival and Events Guide and find more information regarding temporary alcohol licensing on their website.
If you do not have this number at this time, you may submit it to the Special Events Manager by email at a later date.
Please describe type of amplified sound or music including start and finish times. Amplified sound and/or music must stop at 11 pm or at a time deemed appropriate by the Special Events Committee. Amplified sound and/or music is prohibited in Hampton Park, Waterfront Park and White Point Garden.
If the event will have fireworks or any material that is flammable or hazardous, please describe the material, size/amount and usage.
Please provide total number of portable restroom facilities and number of ADA accessible facilities. ADA Standards require that at least five percent of portable toilet units must be accessible.
If you are not planning to provide portable restrooms for your event please explain why.
Beginning January 1, 2020, operations (including vendors) throughout Charleston city limits will be required to eliminate use of single-use plastic carryout and merchandise bags, as well as certain plastic carryout and food packaging items, such as foam containers and plastic straws and stirrers. The regulations apply to all events in City limits, on both public and private property. Please visit the City's Sustainability page to learn more about this ordinance.
Single-use plastic regulations are in effect. Every event hosted within the City of Charleston is expected to be sustainable and follow the single-use plastic regulations.
Please refer to the Sustainable Event Guide to learn how to make your event more sustainable.
Each event will be reviewed for safety and security concerns and will be required to provide adequate security and/or safety personnel as directed by the City of Charleston Police and Fire Departments.
Any events that require off duty police will use this form to request and hire officers. Extra Duty Solutions is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns by phone or email.
Phone: 843-226-7167 Email: charlestonsc@extradutysolutions.com
Please upload the required draft Neighborhood Notification Letter. This letter should include the dates and times of the event. See below for a sample neighborhood notification letter.
General liability insurance is required for permitted special events and shall name the City of Charleston as an additional insured on such general liability insurance policy. The following limits of insurance are required per individual occurrence:
If the event is hosted at Marion Square, the policy shall name The Board of Field Officers of the Fourth Brigade and The City of Charleston as additionally insured. Certificates of insurance (COI) must be submitted to the city for approval at least fifteen (15) working days before the special event's date.
I agree that this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant agrees as follows:
The Applicant shall be liable for, indemnify, defend and hold the City of Charleston (“City”), its officers, agents, servants, representatives, employees, attorneys, consultants and independent contractors (collectively referred to as the (“Indemnitees”) harmless from any and all liabilities, suits, obligations, fines, damages, penalties, claims, charges and expenses (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and disbursements) (“Damages”) that may be imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against any of the Indemnitees arising out of or related to, whether directly or indirectly, from the acts or neglect of the Applicant, its officers, agents, employees, or members, participants, guests, invitees, or persons under the control of the applicant whether or not such damages are due to the negligence of the City or otherwise; provided, however, that the foregoing liability and indemnity obligation shall not apply to any Damages to the extent arising out of any willful misconduct or gross negligence of the City, its officers, employees, servants, agents, attorneys, consultants or independent contractors. Further, the Applicant acknowledges that a condition of the City’s approval of this application is that the City assumes no liability for liabilities, suits, obligations, fines, damages, penalties, claims, costs, charges and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursement) to either persons or property on account of the same, except as expressly provided herein.
The Applicant shall forever release and discharge the City, its officers, agents, servants, representatives or employees from any and all claims, demands, rights of action or causes of action, present or future, whether same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from the Applicant’s event as well as the presence of the Applicant’s agents, representatives, invitees, servants, employees or independent contractors during the Applicant’s event.
The Applicant, as well as its successors, shall forever refrain from instituting, prosecuting or maintaining any action, suit or proceeding, at law or otherwise against the City, its agents, servants, representatives, or employees based upon any injuries which it may suffer, including death or damages, both personal or to property, whether same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from the Applicant’s event, as well as the presence of the Applicant’s agents, representatives, invitees, servants, employees or independent contractors during the Applicant’s event.
Where an event occurs on the grounds of Marion Square, the Applicant expressly agrees to the terms above outlined as it relates to the City, its officers, agents, servants, representatives, employees, attorneys, consultants, independent contractors, but also for The Board of Field Officers of the Fourth Brigade, its officers, agents, servants, representatives, employees, attorneys, consultants, and independent contractors.
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