Special Events Planning Guide

If you plan to host a special event on city parks, roads, or public spaces, you’ll need a road use permit special event permit. This permit ensures your event runs smoothly while meeting our guidelines. Let’s work together to make your event a success!

Application for a special event

If you’re planning an event on municipal property in Niagara Falls, you’ll need a Special Events Permit. Events that require a permit include, but are not limited to:

  • Bicycle tours, concerts and performances, filming, markets and fairs, parades and marches, sidewalk sales, walk-a-thons and marathon races

Timelines: Please apply for your permit at least 3 months before your event. It may require approvals from multiple City Departments and Council.

How to apply for a road use permit

  1. Application: Submit the Application for Road Use: Special Events Permit, required documents, and payment
  2. Insurance: You must provide proof of liability insurance. Submit the appropriate Certificate of Insurance using only the City form
    • Exemptions to insurance: Military, religious, and Indigenous groups do not need to provide insurance for their events
  3. BIA approval: If your event occurs in a Business Improvement Area (BIA), you’ll need written permission from the relevant BIA representative. You must provide this permission with your application. Visit our Business Improvement Area page for locations.
  4. Fees: Check the Schedule of Fees. Additional fees may apply.

This permit is only valid for road sections that are under the jurisdiction of the City of Niagara Falls. Check the Street Name Index to see if your event’s location falls under another jurisdiction. If it does, contact the appropriate organization for a permit.

Apply for a Road Use Special Events Permit

Guide for special events

It is up to the event organizer to advertise the event using their own methods. Here are a couple of ways the City can help:

Plan ahead for special events that include electrical equipment and large generators. It’s the law!

For details about special requirements and safety tips, visit the Electrical Safety Authority.

Only licensed/certified individuals can discharge public display fireworks. They must make an application to the Fire Prevention Office at least 30 days before the scheduled event.

For more information on the rules under the Fireworks By-law, visit our Fireworks and Pyrotechnics page.

You can arrange medical coverage at your special event with one of these agencies:

Fire Department

Any cooking operations must be protected by a ventilation and suppression system complying with NFPA 96. A complete list of food vendors shall be provided to the Fire Prevention Office no less than 30 days prior to the event. 

Contact:
City of Niagara Falls Fire Department
905-356-1321 ext. 2207
Fire Services Contact Form
fireadministration@niagarafalls.ca

Public Health

You must notify the Niagara Region Public Health if you plan to organize a public event where people will consume food or beverages. Visit the Niagara Region website for details.

Alcohol

A special occasion permit from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is required any time alcohol is offered for sale or served anywhere other than a licensed establishment.

Any event on City property must abide by the Municipal Alcohol Risk Management Policy. 

Food trucks

A licensed food truck can only operate on City-owned property if it is participating in an event with an approved special event permit.

To apply for a licence, visit Business Licences and Renewals.

For full rules, review the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.

Please plan ahead for waste management, collection, and disposal. Following the event, the location must be left clean and free of litter.

Reach out to Municipal Works to find out more information at mwrequests@niagarafalls.ca, and they will let you know what you need or if your event requires arrangements through the Niagara Region.

If your event has lottery events like bingo and raffles, you need a lottery licence. Learn more on the Lottery License page.

All events must comply with the City's Noise Control By-law.

Events with music after 9:00 pm will require an exemption to the Noise By-law, which must be approved by City Council.  To request an exemption, please contact clerk@niagarafalls.ca. Please allow enough time for the request to be added to a council agenda.

The City has many municipal parking lots with daily rates. You may want to let people know that they can park in a public lot near your event location.

If needed, event organizers must provide enough portable washrooms and handwashing stations if the site does not have enough facilities for the expected crowd. Sanitary facilities are provided at the applicant's expense.

All applications must be accompanied by a site plan showing the event site, exits, emergency access and any other special hazards related to the event.

Depending on the size and scope of your event, if you require security, make sure you use a security company with a valid security guard agency licence issued by the Province of Ontario.

Sign permits are required for certain types of signs.

Learn more about sign permits.

There is no smoking of tobacco or cannabis, and no vaping or waterpipe smoking allowed in public places.

As the event organizer, you are responsible for ensuring that the Niagara Region smoking by-laws are followed on city lands where your event is taking place.

You will need a building permit to install tents, stages or certain structures. For questions, contact Building Services at pbd@niagarafalls.ca or 905-356-7521 ext. 4330.

Superficial stabilizers are highly recommended (e.g. weights, sandbags, etc.). 

Learn more about tent permits.

Utility locates  

Utility locates are required for any staking/digging in City parks. 

  • Ontario One Call is a free service that helps locate underground utilities like gas lines, water pipes, and electrical cables. Contacting them before you dig is not just smart—it’s the law in Ontario.
  • You can submit a locate request online at ontarioonecall.ca. Submit your request at least five business days in advance
  • The event organizers are responsible for any damages to City property caused by not obtaining locates

Facility rentals

This page explains how to apply for a special event permit for municipal roads.

If you want to rent City facilities or parks, visit the Facilities Rentals page.

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca