Flagler County, FL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Secs. 21-51 through 21-80
- Application deadline
- At least 90 days before the event
- Triggering size
- 100+ people with amplified sound/structures
- Amplified sound curfew
- 11 p.m. weekdays / 1 a.m. weekends
- Max penalty
- $500 fine and/or 60 days jail
Summary
Unincorporated Flagler County requires a special event permit under Sec. 21-52 for any commercial gathering expected to strain county services or drawing 100 or more people with amplified sound or temporary structures. Applications go in at least 90 days ahead through Development Services, with fees set by county resolution.
(a)No special event held within the unincorporated portion of Flagler County shall be conducted without obtaining a special event permit, unless exempted from permit requirements under this article. All special events shall comply with the provisions set forth in this article and with all terms, conditions, and requirements identified in an issued permit. The applicant must get an itinerant merchant's license ("IML") for each vendor operating at the event site. ... If permit requirements are met, the special events coordinator will prepare a planning meeting agreement stipulating the terms and conditions of the permit and all estimated fees. In addition to the pre-paid event application fee, the applicant(s) shall be required to pay all required fees by sections 21-62 through 21-66 of this article.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 21-53 defines a special event as any commercial gathering, one charging admission or selling goods or services for profit, that is reasonably expected to need extra police, fire, EMS, traffic control, street closures, or cleanup beyond what the county normally provides; any commercial event with 100 or more attendees plus outside amplified sound, high-intensity lighting, or temporary structures automatically qualifies. Sec. 21-54 requires the application at least 90 days before the event, with a check payable to the Board of County Commissioners for the application fee; a late application is not considered.
The Technical Review Committee serves as the special events committee, meeting with the applicant within 30 days of a complete application per Sec. 21-57, and the committee chair approves or denies within 10 days of that meeting. Sec. 21-56 exempts county-sponsored events, school board events on school property, and religious, private school, political or nonprofit events on their own property. Sec. 21-58 requires the applicant to pay all fees assessed under sections 21-62 through 21-66, covering sheriff's office personnel, fire and EMS coverage, public works services, and building department inspections, before a permit issues. Sec. m. on weekends. A denial can be appealed to the Board of County Commissioners within seven business days.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 21-80 makes a violation of the special events article a misdemeanor, prosecuted in the name of the State of Florida, punishable on conviction by a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, with each separate occurrence treated as its own offense. The county can also pursue civil or injunctive relief and code enforcement action under Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, and the sheriff's office or another agency with jurisdiction has arrest power for a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to apply for a parade or festival permit in Flagler County?
What size event needs a special event permit?
Is a church festival exempt from the permit requirement?
What is the penalty for holding an unpermitted special event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flagler County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Flagler County to another location·View the Florida special events & permits overview
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