Special Event Permit Information

It is the City's goal to assist event organizers in planning safe and successful events while minimizing the impact on public safety and welfare. Some events require a Special Event Permit to assure that an activity meets legal requirements of the use of public land and rights of way and assures the City that adequate services such as traffic control, sanitation, solid waste, and public safety issues are addressed. Other events may just need a courtesy notification to the appropriate City department.

What Requires a Special Event Permit

If your plan includes holding an event on public or private property and it affects the ordinary use of public streets, rights of way, park facilities, or sidewalks, or may require additional city services than would normally be provided (such as police escorts, traffic control, sanitation, and cleanup work required to support the event), you may need a Special Event Permit. Even events that aren't open to the public may require a Special Event Permit if it will have a public impact (i.e. street parking, traffic) or change the use of or exceed the occupancy of the building hosting the event.

Use the Interactive Questionnaire below to help determine if you need a Special Event Permit or to submit a courtesy notification.

Are You Planning to Film in Homer?

Production companies wanting to film on City property are required to:

1. Complete and submit a Special Events Permit Application; this gives us an idea of the scope of the filming project to determine if the company will need a Special Events Permit in addition to the General Release of Liability and Indemnification Agreement.
    
2. Execute a General Release of Liability and Indemnification Agreement with the City. A template of the agreement is provided in the Supporting Documents section below.
    
3. Provide a copy of the production company's Alaska Business License; and
    
4. Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the City of Homer as additional insured with minimum liability limits as shown on the sample included in the Supporting Documents section below.

Apply for a Special Event Permit

Complete the Special Event Permit Application (PDF). Applications may be submitted by email at specialevents@ci.homer.ak.us, or they can be dropped off at City Hall during business hours. Contact the Parks Division with any questions at 907-435-3139.

Special Event Permit Rules and Regulations

The application is to be filed no less than 14 business days prior to an event to ensure adequate time is available for the City to review, follow up with any questions, and issue a permit. Your timely application also provides you an opportunity to address or correct any issues that may be needed and ensure you have time to obtain any additional permits from other agencies.

You must receive approval from the City before you promote, market, or advertise your event. Submission of a Special Event Permit Application does not constitute event approval or guarantee availability of the event date, location or construe an automatic approval of the event.

The type and scope of your special event will determine what will be required.  Examples of additional requirements include a Right-of-Way Use Permit from ADOT&PF, a Certificate of Insurance, a parking or traffic control plan, or additional sanitation facilities.  If during the application review period, the City Manager determines additional City services may be required for your event, you will be notified with an estimate of the cost of such additional support services as well as deposit or bond requirements to meet such costs.

Granting of a Special Event Permit by the City of Homer does not exempt the sponsors from obtaining any business licenses or other permits (e.g. serving of food or alcohol, State ROW use, etc.) which may be required by other agencies.

See the Special Event Permit Application (PDF) for a complete list of rules, regulations, and any conditions your event will need to meet.

Special Event Permit Interactive Questionnaire