Citrus County, FL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Application deadline
- 45 days before the festival
- Liability insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 per person / $3,000,000 per incident
- Permit fee
- $100/day per 1,000 patrons
- Cleanup bond
- $250 per 1,000 anticipated patrons
- Security staffing
- 1 per 500 patrons
- Applies to
- unincorporated Citrus County only
Summary
Anyone staging a music or entertainment festival in unincorporated Citrus County must get a special entertainment permit from the board of county commissioners at least 45 days ahead, per Citrus County Code Section 10-243. The permit application must show plans for camping, sanitation, medical staffing, security, and parking, plus a public liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000.00 per person and $3,000,000.00 per incident, before the board will approve it.
Any person, firm, corporation or partnership desiring to stage, promote or conduct any musical or entertainment festival in the unincorporated area of the county shall first secure a special entertainment permit from the board. An application for a special entertainment permit shall be submitted in writing to the board at least 45 days in advance of the date of commencement of the festival for which the permit is requested... (3)An adequate plan for medical facilities. There shall be provided one physician licensed in this state on duty at all times for every 2,000 patrons, one nurse licensed in this state on duty at all times for every 1,000 patrons, one bed or cot for every 200 patrons... (10)A written public liability insurance policy... written within limits of not less than $1,000,000.00 damage or injury to any one person for bodily injury or otherwise, plus $3,000,000.00 for damages incurred or claimed by more than one person for bodily injury or otherwise, plus $500,000.00 damages to property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 76).
Full Breakdown
Section 10-243 defines the permit process for any "musical or entertainment festival," meaning an outdoor gathering centered on musical entertainment. Applicants must show one parking space for every five patrons, one physician on duty for every 2,000 patrons, one nurse for every 1,000 patrons, one bed or cot for every 200 patrons, and one security or traffic-control staffer for every 500 patrons, with no security worker on more than one eight-hour shift per 24 hours. 00 in property damage coverage. 00 daily surcharge per 1,000 patrons for any attendance that exceeds the permitted estimate.
00 per 1,000 anticipated patrons, refunded only after the county commissioner for that district certifies all debris is cleared within 24 hours of the festival's end. The board may waive the article's requirements for festivals run by county recreational boards or sanctioned nonprofit groups under Section 10-242. The permit scheme applies only to the unincorporated area of the county, per the board of county commissioners' authority there; Crystal River and Inverness are not covered.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the article, deviating from an approved permit's conditions, or making a material misrepresentation in the application are each punishable under the Code's general penalty, Section 1-9, up to a $500.00 fine and 60 days in jail, with each deviation or misrepresentation a separate offense. The board may also revoke the special entertainment permit outright under Section 10-247(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance must a festival organizer apply for a permit in Citrus County?
What insurance does a festival organizer need?
Can the county waive these requirements for a charity festival?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Citrus County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Citrus County to another location·View the Florida special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.