St. George's Special Events & Permits: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles special events & permits a little differently. In St. George, Utah, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Park Event Permits

St. George requires a reservation to hold a league game, practice, or claim exclusive use of a public park, square, field, court, pavilion, or grill.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 7-3-3. Reservation required for: Multi-team league games/practices, tryouts. Amplified sound in parks: Needs special event permit or city manager OK. First-offense penalty: Infraction. Repeat penalty: Class C misdemeanor after 2nd conviction.

Violating the public parks chapter is an infraction on the first two convictions; a third conviction for the same offense becomes a class C misdemeanor, per section 7-3-5.

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

St. George restaurants may not place dining tables, chairs, or stands on a public sidewalk without city council permission: carrying on business on any street or sidewalk without that authorization is unlawful under the city's streets code.

Key details: Approval needed: City council permission. Governing section: § 7-1-9, Use of Streets. Structures on sidewalk: Separate § 7-1-7 encroachment permit. Dedicated cafe permit: None: case-by-case council approval.

Unpermitted sidewalk dining violates section 7-1-9; the city can order removal of tables, chairs, or structures and prosecute the business under the code's general sentencing provision, section 1-4-1.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. St. George actively enforces its sidewalk dining & cafés requirements.

Block Party Permits

Block parties are a 'gathering event' under St. George's special event code, and holding one without a permit is unlawful. Applications are due at least 45 days ahead.

Key details: Governing definition: 'Gathering event' includes block parties. Application deadline: At least 45 days before event. Street closure: Requires separate encroachment permit. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor + civil penalty. Repeat violation bar: 730 days, permanent on 2nd offense.

Holding a block party without a permit is a class B misdemeanor and also draws a civil penalty under § 3-10-13; violators are barred from getting another special event permit for 2 years.

Parade Permits

St. George requires a special event permit before any parade, march, or procession uses city streets, parks, or public places, with applications due 45 days before the event date.

Key details: Permit required: Yes, before holding the event. Application deadline: 45 calendar days ahead. Reviewing body: Events Review Committee. Insurance required: Yes, per § 3-10-5. Repeat violation penalty: Permanent permit bar.

Violating the chapter, including committing federal, state, or local offenses during the event, is a class B misdemeanor with a civil penalty; a violating permittee is barred from new special event permits for 2 years, and a second violation triggers a permanent bar.

Compared to other cities, St. George takes a harder line on parade permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way

St. George requires a filming event permit for commercial or educational filming beyond personal use, processed through the same events review committee that handles special events.

Key details: Permit required: Filming event permit. Lead time: 20 calendar days minimum. Reviewed by: Events Review Committee (ERC). Exempt: News broadcast filming. Decision deadline: 10 days before event.

Filming without a permit, location agreement, or facility use agreement can lead to denial of future applications and removal from city property; applications submitted less than 20 days out are rejected outright.

Street Fair Rules

St. George requires a special event permit for street fairs, carnivals, and outdoor sales events, and every vendor, exhibitor, and concessionaire selling at the event must carry commercial general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured.

Key details: Permit required: Special event permit before fairs, carnivals. Vendor insurance: Commercial general liability, city named insured. Certificate timing: Filed before permit is issued. Penalty: Class B misdemeanor, two-year permit bar. Applies to: Fairs, carnivals, outdoor sales events citywide.

Holding an unpermitted street fair, or a vendor selling without a certificate of insurance on file, is a class B misdemeanor; violating events or permittees are barred from another special event permit for two years.

The Bottom Line

St. George is tougher than many cities when it comes to special events & permits. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in St. George, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that St. George can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.