Community » Community services

Special Event Permits

Clay County requires Special Event Permits for certain events held on county property or within unincorporated Clay County. The permit process helps ensure public safety, proper coordination between county departments, and compliance with local regulations.

Important Permit Information

Submitting a Special Event Permit application does not guarantee event approval. Additional reviews, permits, inspections, staffing, or fees may be required before final approval is granted.

Apply for a Special Event Permit

Event organizers can submit applications through the Clay County Special Event Permitting Portal.

Access the Special Event Permitting Portal

What to Expect During the Permit Process

Based on the size and scope of your event, your application may require review and coordination with multiple county departments.

Depending on your event, reviews may include:

  • Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO)
  • Public Safety
  • Fire Marshal
  • Environmental Services
  • Animal Services
  • Facilities
  • Zoning
  • Risk Management
  • Personnel Services
  • Parks and Recreation
  • County Manager’s Office

Additional Fees and Costs

Additional permits, inspections, staffing, traffic control, security, safety measures, or operational requirements may be necessary depending on the type, size, location, and expected attendance of your event.

These requirements may result in additional fees or staffing costs that are the responsibility of the event organizer.

Schedule of fees for facility rentals and event use may not include all costs associated with hosting an event in Clay County.

Unforeseen costs may also be billed after the event if additional county resources or emergency staffing are required. For example, higher-than-expected attendance may require additional law enforcement, public safety support, traffic control, cleanup, or other operational services.

Event Requirements

Depending on the event type and attendance, organizers may be required to provide:

  • Site plans or event layouts
  • Traffic and parking plans
  • Security staffing
  • Portable restrooms
  • Waste disposal services
  • Insurance documentation
  • Vendor permits
  • Food service approvals
  • Emergency access routes

Questions?

If you have questions about Special Event Permits, application requirements, or event coordination, please contact Clay County Community Services.

Email: askclay@claycountygov.com

When Is a Special Event Permit Required?

We love having events in Clay County and look forward to working with event organizers to help deliver events our community enjoys.

If you are planning an event within the unincorporated areas of Clay County, a Special Event Permit may be required.

A permit may be required for:

  • Events reasonably expected to have 500 or more people in attendance at one time
  • Events that require a road closure
  • Events involving the consumption of alcoholic beverages on County-owned property, including the Clay County Fairgrounds or Revels Senior Center
  • Nonprofit events expected to have 500 or more attendees that include outside amplified sound, high-intensity lighting, temporary structures, or activities that may affect nearby public, business, or residential areas
  • Agritourism events expected to create substantial offsite impacts such as increased traffic, amplified sound, lighting, or noise

To help ensure public safety and provide appropriate county resources, the Clay County Board of County Commissioners approved an Event Ordinance outlining safety measures based on the size and type of event.

This ordinance applies to events held within the unincorporated areas of Clay County.

Please note that each city or town within Clay County may have its own event policies, permit requirements, and approval processes.

Application Deadline

Completed applications and required payments must be submitted at least 90 days before the event date.

Event Permit Ordinance

If you would like additional information, please review the Event Permit Ordinance.

Read the Event Permit Ordinance

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for additional information.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Special Event Permit process, please contact Clay County Parks & Recreation.

Phone: 904-529-4148

For general county assistance, please contact:

Email: askclay@claycountygov.com
Phone: 904-269-6300