Special Events & Permits in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
6 verified special events & permits rules for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Residents seeking to close a local street in their neighborhood go through Article VI of ch. 25. A neighborhood group must file an application signed by 65% of the property owners and pay a fee, and the city commission can approve only a 180-day temporary closure before deciding whether to make it permanent.
Fort Lauderdale Neighborhood Street Closure Permit
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances ch. 25, art. VI, sec. 25-173(a) (Ord. No. C-89-13, § 1(40-45(c)), 5-16-89)
A neighborhood group may, upon submission of an application in compliance with the provisions herein and payment of the application fee as provided in section 25-175(a) of these procedures, initiate the review and implementation of a street closure within a residential neighborhood. The application must be signed by sixty-five (65) percent of the property owners within a residential neighborhoo...
Park Event Permits
No group can take exclusive use of a Fort Lauderdale park or beach area without city commission approval under Code Sec. 19-1. Vendors and paid activities at park events also need a concession contract or written city manager approval under Sec. 19-2, and the city manager sets facility user fees under Sec. 19-3.
Fort Lauderdale Park Exclusive-Use Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances ch. 19, sec. 19-1 (Ord. No. C-92-42, § 2, 9-15-92; Ord. No. C-12-15, § 1, 5-1-12)
The public parks and public beach of the city are held by the city for the use, convenience and enjoyment of the citizens and visitors of the city. None of the city parks, public beach or portions thereof shall be used exclusively by any person, or set of persons, or association, to the exclusion of the general public, except with the approval of the city commission.
Parade Permits
No parade, procession, or sound truck may use a Fort Lauderdale street without a police chief permit under section 26-202, and section 26-202.1 separately bans anyone in a parade or public assembly of more than eight people from carrying weapons, glass containers, thick sign supports, or so-called sleeping dragons.
Fort Lauderdale Parade and Public Assembly Permits
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances ch. 26, art. VI, §§ 26-202 and 26-202.1(b)(1) (Ord. No. C-14-50, § 1, 12-17-14)
No procession or parade, excepting the forces of the United States Armed Services, the military forces of this state, and the forces of the police and fire departments, shall occupy, march, or proceed along any street or roadway except in accordance with permission issued by the police chief and such other ordinances that may apply. No sound truck or other vehicle equipped with amplifier or lou...
Street Fair Rules
Any festival, concert or street fair on public or private property in Fort Lauderdale needs a permit under the outdoor events ordinance, filed with the parks and recreation department 60 to 120 days ahead depending on size. Organizers pay an application fee, carry at least $1 million in liability insurance, and add $500,000 in liquor liability coverage if alcohol is served.
Fort Lauderdale Outdoor Event Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-181, Sec. 15-182 (Outdoor Events)
Sec. 15-182(a): Such application shall be filed with the parks and recreation department not less than sixty (60) days for minor events, ninety (90) days for intermediate events (two (2) or more years of history with good standing), one hundred and twenty (120) days for all other intermediate events, one hundred and twenty (120) days for major events ... in advance of the beginning date of the ...
Parklets
Converting an on-street parking space into a public parklet in Fort Lauderdale needs a permit and an executed revocable license under Sec. 25A-182, plus an annual $650 fee per parking space taken out of service. The city caps the program at 15 parklets citywide and limits them to streets posted 25 mph or slower.
Fort Lauderdale Parklet Permit Program
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances ch. 25, art. VII-A, sec. 25A-182 (Ord. No. C-14-53, § 2, 1-6-15)
Operating a parklet within the public rights-of-way of the city without a permit from the department and a parklet revocable license executed by the permittee and city, and paying the appropriate fees, costs and charges relating thereto in accordance with the provisions of this article VII-A is prohibited. A parklet, permitted and operated in accordance with this article VII-A, "Parklets" shall...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Placing tables, chairs, or umbrellas on a public sidewalk to operate as or alongside a Fort Lauderdale business requires a sidewalk café permit from development services under Sec. 25-181. Permit holders must keep a 5-foot clear pedestrian path, carry at least $1 million in liability insurance, and clear the furniture away whenever the business is closed.
Fort Lauderdale Sidewalk Café Permit Required
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances ch. 25, art. VII, sec. 25-181 (Ord. No. C-91-70, § 1, 10-15-91; Ord. No. C-15-23, § 1, 6-16-15; Ord. No. C-22-13, § 52, 4-19-22)
It is unlawful to operate a sidewalk café on sidewalks within the city without possessing a valid permit issued by the development services department in accordance with the provisions and requirements of this article. A sidewalk café, permitted and operated in accordance with this section is not a violation of section 25-4 of the Code.
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Broward County →