Special Events & Permits in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Winston-Salem requires a special event permit for any event that closes a city street, including a block party, filed with the office of economic development at least 45 days ahead with fees from $100 to $300.
Winston-Salem Block Party & Street Closure Permits
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 74-284(b), (b)(1)
Application for a permit for a special event shall be filed with the office of economic development on forms provided by the city and shall be accompanied by payment of a permit application fee in the amount set forth below... Special event permit (one event) .....$100.00... An application for a special event permit shall be filed with the office of economic development not less than 45 days be...
Park Event Permits
Winston-Salem requires a special event permit, filed 45 days ahead with a $100-$300 fee, to hold an event in a city park or other public place.
Winston-Salem Park & Special Event Permit
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 74-284(b)
Application for a permit for a special event shall be filed with the office of economic development on forms provided by the city and shall be accompanied by payment of a permit application fee in the amount set forth below... Special event permit (one event) .....$100.00 Special event permit (series—two to four events) .....$200.00 Special event permit (series—five or more events) .....$300.00...
Parade Permits
Any parade on a Winston-Salem street used for vehicular traffic needs a city permit, applied for at least 96 hours ahead through the Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement.
Winston-Salem Parade Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 38-5(b)-(c)
No such parade shall be held or conducted unless a permit is first obtained from the office of business inclusion and advancement. All persons participating in any parade without such permit shall be guilty of a violation of this section. ... Such application shall be made at least 96 hours before holding the parade. A response to the application shall be provided to the applicant within 48 hou...
Street Fair Rules
Winston-Salem street fairs and festivals need an economic development permit, and every food, craft or merchandise vendor inside the event must operate under the permit holder's control rather than a separate license.
Winston-Salem Street Fair Vendor Rules
Significant RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 74-284(f)
No sale of arts, crafts, food or other tangible items shall be permitted within the street or sidewalk area during the special event except under the auspices and control of the entity receiving the permit. Such entity shall be fully responsible for compliance with rules, regulations and ordinances of the city with respect to the special event being conducted pursuant to a permit issued thereun...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Winston-Salem requires restaurants to get a sidewalk cafe permit before extending dining onto a sidewalk, restricts the use to central business or pedestrian business zoning districts, and caps sidewalk seating at 50 percent of indoor capacity.
Winston-Salem Sidewalk Cafe Permit
Some RestrictionsWinston-Salem Code of Ordinances § 74-292(b), (d)(1), (d)(3)
No restaurant may extend its dining operations into a sidewalk or pedestrian way without first obtaining a permit therefor in accordance with the requirements of this article. ... The restaurant to which the sidewalk cafe is associated must be located within the central business or pedestrian business zoning districts. ... The seating capacity of the sidewalk cafe may not constitute more than 5...
Looking for Forsyth County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Winston-Salem city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Forsyth County →