Collierville, TN Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 151.026(D)(7) of the Collierville Code of Ordinances exists to help the Town provide and coordinate year-round public gatherings by making sure events are safe and meet the basic needs of participants. It splits special events into two classes based on their impact on Town property and services. Class I is the track that reaches parks. A permit from the Special Events Committee is required whenever an event involves the use of Town property, which the code spells out as parks, facilities, greenways, trails, public rights-of-way, and the like, or whenever it requires Town services deemed non-basic.

Applications are submitted to the Parks and Recreation Department no later than 60 days prior to the event. Notices then go to all affected departments so each can determine its level of sponsorship. The Town's own involvement waives nothing: events in which the Town participates as one of the organizers must still obtain the applicable permits.

Fees attach to non-basic services. The code lists electrical service, onsite custodial support, garbage removal, traffic control or public safety presence, police security after event hours, onsite stand-by fire personnel or Fire Safety Inspectors, and onsite staff for electrical or other problems after regular working hours. A private-property event that would otherwise be Class II is automatically reclassified as Class I and referred to the Special Events Committee once review shows it needs one of these services, and its sponsor must notify the affected Town departments and pay the fees.

The Class I permit does not replace other approvals. Separate Town permits, inspections or approvals can be required if the event includes built booths or stands, a tent or canopy, an electrical hook up, amusement rides, charitable solicitations, signage visible off site, outdoor display or storage of goods, or the sale of alcoholic beverages. The Development Director decides whether a use or activity is temporary or permanent, and the Board of Zoning Appeals hears appeals of those decisions.