Special Events Information & Application

What is a Special Event?

Generally, Special Events are temporary uses that extend beyond the normal uses and standards allowed by City Ordinances that are held wholly or in part upon a public or nonpublic street, city right-of-way or any publicly or non-publicly owned property. A special event can mean, but is not limited to a sale, grand opening, wedding, photo shoot, party, holiday celebration, bazaar, concert or other performance, fair, tent revival, fundraising event, art festival, race, tour, rally, parade, bicycle run, demonstration, contest, exhibition, block party, outdoor display or similar event or occurrence.

How do I apply for a Special Event Permit or an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit?

There are several ways to apply for a Special Event Permit or an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit:

• Stop by City Hall located at 800 Dunlop Road and pick-up an application
• Download the Special Event Application. (pdf 68.80 kB)
• Call the City Manager’s office at (239) 472-3700 to request an application packet be mailed to you.

Do I have to come in person to apply for a Special Event Permit or an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit?

To submit an application for a Special Event Permit or an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit, you can:

• Drop it off at the City Manager’s Office along with a non-refundable $50 resident/ $100 non-resident ($50 for the Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Permit) application fee, late fee if applicable, and the appropriate refundable deposit.
• Mail it to the City Manager’s Office located at 800 Dunlop, Sanibel, FL 33957, accompanied by the application fee, late fee if applicable, and the appropriate refundable deposit.

Is there a fee to apply for a Special Event Permit?

Yes, a non-refundable application fee of $50 resident/$100 non-resident, for a Special Event Permit is required. A Special Event Permit must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the event. Applications submitted less than 30 calendar days prior to the event will be assessed a late fee of $5 per calendar day. Applications for a Special Event Permit will not be accepted later than 7 calendar days prior to the event.

Is a deposit required for a Special Event Permit?

For events being held on public property such as public beach accesses, parks, and City Hall grounds, a refundable security deposit is required. Deposits are established to encourage compliance with local Ordinances as well as encourage applicants to clean-up following their event. Deposits are due no later than 30 days prior to the event. Deposit tiers are as follows:

• $50 (100 participants or less)
• $100 (101-500 participants)
• $250 (501-1000 participants)
• $1,000 (1,001 participants or more)

How are deposit refunds determined?

Following an event, Public Works personnel will conduct an inspection of the property on which the event was held. If the property is clean and no damage is present, City staff will notify the City Manager’s office to release the deposit. Deposits will be returned to applicant within 30 days following the event.
If, during inspection, the property is not cleaned and restored to its natural state or if damage to property is discovered, actual man hours and actual cost to restore the property to its natural state will be deducted from the deposit. If the deposit is not sufficient to cover cleaning and/or restoral fees, applicant will be billed for the balance remaining.

Are signs permitted to advertise a Special Event?

Each Special Event Permit provides for one on-site sign.

Are directional signs permitted to advertise a Special Event?

Non-profit organizations are permitted to have 6 directional signs placed on-island during the approved event dates. For-profit organizations are permitted one on-site sign during the approved event dates.

Is a Permit required to set-up a Tent at a special event?

Yes. Please view City of Sanibel Temporary Tent Permit Standards (pdf 19.53 kB)

Is a Special Event Permit required for an outdoor wedding?

If a wedding has more than 25 participants and includes the use of temporary structures such as arches, chairs, tiki torches, podium, etc., a Special Event Permit is required. Please see our Beach Standards (pdf 20.20 kB) for additional information on Sanibel Beach Weddings.

What is an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit?

An Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit (pdf 35.76 kB) is issued to a City of Sanibel licensed business, authorized to conduct commercial retail sales at their Sanibel business address if located in the City of Sanibel commercial district, pursuant to the relevant requirements of the Land Development Code. This permit must be applied for annually. A Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit allows Sanibel licensed businesses to hold sidewalk sales on the following dates:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Weekend (3rd Monday of January & 2 days prior)
• February 14 – Valentine’s Day (2 days prior to and the day of)
• February 20 – President’s Day (1 day prior, day of, and 1 day after)
• March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day (1 day prior, day of, and 1 day after)
• Easter Weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday)
• July 4th Independence Day (1 day prior, day of, and 1 day after)
• Labor Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday)
• Columbus Day Weekend (2nd Monday of October & 2 days prior)
• Thanksgiving Holiday (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Christmas Holiday (Weekend prior to and the week of December 25th)

Can a tent or other temporary structure be set-up with an approved Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit?

No. An Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales Special Event Permit provides for a sidewalk sale utilizing sales racks and/or tables. Any other temporary structures and/or tents greater than 120 square feet require a regular Special Events Permit.

Is an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sale Special Event Permit counted as one of the 6 Special Event Permits allowed per year, per location?

No, an Annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sale Special Event Permit is separate and is in addition to the 6 Special Event Permits allowed per year.

Are there fees associated with a Special Event Permit?

Yes. Please see Resolution 10-117 (Schedule of Special Event Fees) (pdf 150.07 kB)