Requirements Overview

A Special Event Permit is required under the following circumstances:

• When the event, regardless of size or location (public or private property), will impact the normal flow of vehicles or pedestrians on public streets, sidewalks, parking lots, or other public property 

• When the event will be held on city property and is expected to have 500 or more attendees

• When the event will be held on private property, is offered to the general public or a substantial segment of the public, and the nature of the event requires regulation to promote the health, welfare, and safety of citizens and visitors

If you will be selling tickets to your event; or, will be selling consumables or other tangible items at your event you are required to have a:

• State of Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax License with City of Glendale listed as a location. 

• Special Regulatory License(PDF, 845KB) for Mobile Food Vendor 

A special event permit application is not required if you plan to hold your event at a city park or recreational facility that is expected to draw less than 500 attendees.

For events in park that is less than 500 people must fill out aSpecial Use Permit Application. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the event date.
To obtain more information about reserving a city park or facilities, contact the Park sand Recreation Department at 623-930-2820.

Liquor Licensing

If there will be any alcohol consumption associated with your event, Arizona State Law requires the appropriate permit, the following are options depending on the type of event you are hosting.

Beer Permit, City Parks Only

A beer permit is required to consume beer in a City of Glendale park. Consumption of alcoholic beverages other than beer (wine, spirituous liquor) in any public place (except licensed premises), requires a Special Event Liquor License. Beer Permits must be purchased in person at one of the following locations:

Glendale Parks and Recreation Office -inside the Glendale Adult Center
5970 W. Brown St.(Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center - 5600 W. Union Hills(Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Permits must be obtained 48 hours in advance of the event and may be made up to one year in advance of the scheduled event.

Temporary Extension of Premise, Existing Liquor Licenses Only

An establishment within the event footprint that is already licensed to sell alcohol may apply to extend the premise of the licensed area temporarily. The serving area must be contiguous to the existing licensed area without separation to qualify for an extension of premise. Application must be submitted 60 days prior to the event with absolute minimum of 45 days prior to the event.

Special Event Liquor License, All Other Needs

Special Event Liquor License Application Package must be submitted 60 days prior to an event with an absolute minimum of 45 days prior to the event. The State of Arizona allows temporary sale of alcohol to occur under a Special Event Liquor License which must be obtained by a charitable, civic, fraternal, political or religious organization; and, the qualified organization must receive at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross revenues of the special event. Applicants must complete both the city and state applications. The state requires original applications and a check for payment, so the forms must be completed and submitted to the address below, there is no electronic filing option for liquor license applications. After the city license is issued, the applicant can submit the application to the state.

Submit in person or by mail to:
Customer Service Office
5850 W Glendale Avenue
Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599

Neighborhood Block Parties are managed by our Transportation Department certain requirements apply, but you do not need a special event permit for those activities in most cases.Learn More

The City Code includes provisions to accommodate special for events that involve exercising rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or Article II, Section 6, of the Arizona Constitution such as political marches, rallies, or other free speech activities.

Application requirements may apply, for information please refer to Glendale City Code Chapter 29.2 Special Events referenced below.

For questions or additional assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 623-930-2870 or citymanager@glendaleaz.com.

Glendale City Code Chapter 29.2 Special Events 
This chapter of our code governs all special or large special events as defined by the code and summarized here.

It is the event planner’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all City Code requirements.

If your event has any of the following components, regardless of size, location, or special event code requirements, you are required to submit a Special Event Application and additional applications as directed in the event application:

• Temporary Extension of Premise Liquor License 
• Special Event Liquor License
• Fireworks, Pyrotechnics, Flameworks, or CO2
• Amplified Sound (band, DJ, music, announcers)
• Amusement rides (mechanical or inflatable)
• Food trucks or mobile cooking apparatus
• Animal exhibits or animal rides
• Vehicle displays 

Other Useful Links:
Public Facility Rental Opportunities- to find city venues
Glendale Civic Center- full service event venue