The Event Permitting Process: A Guide for Experiential Marketers

eventpermits

March 3, 2025

Whether you’re a seasoned event producer or just getting started in the industry, navigating the permitting process can be a daunting task. As you begin your research, you will likely find inconsistent information – or no information at all, leaving you wondering, “where do I begin?” or “why are permits even necessary?”

Why Do Permits Matter?

While planning an event takes creativity and vision, permitting can be arguably one of the most important – but frustrating – aspects of your event. They ensure compliance, safety and that your event goes off without any issues. Frankly, without permits, your event simply may not happen.

Tips For Success

Although the permitting process can be intimidating, there are several proactive steps you can take to set yourself up for success. Here are a few strategies and tips to ensure a smoother process:

  • Start Early – It’s never “too soon” to begin permitting conversations, as many markets have hard deadlines and turnaround times that can take weeks (or in some cases, months)!
  • Stay Organized – Keeping track of the most current correspondence with your brand client is crucial. Ensure your permitting team is in possession of the latest version(s) of site plans/renderings. When it comes to permits, details matter and having the most up-to-date project scope will ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Stay Flexible – Be open to minor tweaks in your event plan or location if it means compliance and successful approval. (PS – did you know that eventpermits can also handle your location scouting for you?)

Roadblocks to Approval

One of the major setbacks we see event producers face are denied permits. There are a few reasons why this happens, but at the end of the day, can be boiled down to one thing: lack of guidance aka “DIY permits.”

To be clear – we understand the budgetary reasons why many agencies attempt to file for permits on their own. However, after 25+ years in the industry, we can confidently tell you the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

A big misconception we face is the belief that we can simply “fix” a failed permit application after it’s denied. Even as permit experts, there is no “magic wand” we can wave to get your permit approved faster or undo a denied permit. That is why it’s critical to work with an expert permitting partner from the start.

Expert Permitting Guidance

It’s essential to have the right support when starting your permitting journey. Working with an event permitting agency is your key to success in avoiding mistakes and costly delays.

The EventPermits team takes the guesswork out of permits, giving you back the days to weeks you would spend trying to figure it out on your own, only to realize that calling us was the best solution from the start.

Take it from us – navigating the permit process is a full-time job, but it doesn’t have to be yours!

Have permitting questions? Let’s chat!