Any business or organization is required to obtain a permit for any event that is open to the general public and is not part of the daily activities of the business or organization.

Complete information about special event requirements and the application process can be found in the Special Event Permit Procedures packet. Click the button below to view it.

Types of Permits

There are two classifications of special events: Tier I and Tier II events. You can find specific examples of these in the Special Event Permit Procedures packet.

Tier I
Tier I events are any temporary events that have a significant impact on traffic flow, Town facilities, or Town services. Examples include, but are not limited to, organized walks, running races, parades, street festivals, and gatherings of more than 400 people.

Tier II
Tier II events are any temporary events that do not qualify as Tier I, but that are open to the general public and are not part of a business’s or organization’s daily activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, tent sales, food truck rodeos, business or organizational promotional events with temporary structures, and outdoor children’s events with bounce houses and/or water slides.

Time Limit Restrictions
Neither Tier I nor Tier II events can exceed a collective total of 20 days or four weekends (defined as Saturday and Sunday) within any calendar year, except where the site is publicly owned property and used for events sponsored by the Town for the enjoyment or enrichment of its citizens.

Application Deadlines and Fees

Special event permit applications must be submitted through our Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal. Tier I applications must be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the planned event, and Tier II applications must be submitted at least 21 days in advanced of the planned event. All applications must be complete at the time of submission. Please upload all accompanying documents to the portal with your application.

An application fee will be assessed after your application is submitted. You will receive an email when your invoice is ready. Application fees must be paid through the portal before your application will be reviewed. Tier I applications submitted within the 60-day window of the event will be charged an additional $250 fee. Tier II applications submitted within the 21-day window of the event will be charged an addition $50 fee.

Tier I Application Items

• Completed special event permit application
• $100 non-refundable application fee, paid through the CSS portal
• Detailed narrative description of the event, including all activities to take place
• Sketch of the event layout identifying where activities will take place and providing the location and dimensions of any temporary structures including, but not limited to, tents, stages, and bounce houses
• Mapped route for events with a course component including, but limited to, organized walks, running races, parades, and religious processions
• Proof of notification to adjoining property owners of the event. Course events must place temporary signs at each end of the proposed route. Signs must be between three- and six-square-feet in size. The date, time, and name of the event must be included on the signs. Signs must be erected seven days prior to the event, and must be removed 24 hours after the event.

Tier I applicants must also attend an in-person coordination meeting with Town staff prior to the permit being issued.

Tier II Application Items

•  Completed special event permit application
• $25 non-refundable application fee, paid through the CSS portal
• Detailed narrative description of the event including all activities to take place
• Sketch of the event layout identifying where activities will take place and providing the location and dimensions of any temporary structures including, but not limited to, tents, stages, and bounce houses
• Proof of notification to adjoining property owners of the event

Food and Alcohol Sales

If the event includes the sale or preparation of food, a Temporary Food Establishment Permit from Wake County Environmental Services may be required. The organizer is responsible for submitting applications on behalf of any food vendors they are allowing at the event.

All food trucks operating within the Morrisville town limits must also obtain a food truck permit. The procedure for applying for a Town food truck permit is outlined in the Morrisville Food Truck Permit One-Sheet. For more information about food truck permits and their associated fees, please contact the Morrisville Planning Department at 919-463-6210.

If the event includes the distribution of alcohol, a permit from the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) must be obtained. You can find information online or call ABC at 919-779-0700. Event organizers are responsible for all aspects of their alcohol permit and should ensure that patrons are in compliance with relevant policies.

Temporary Structures

A building permit is required if an event includes temporary structures that are of a certain size, including tents that are more than 800 square feet, membrane structures that are more than 400 square feet, and stages that are more than 120 square feet. For more information about permitting for temporary structures, contact the Morrisville Inspections Department at 919-463-6190.

Open-air tents that are more than 700 square feet and closed tents that are more than 400 square feet require an inspection by the Fire Marshal prior to the event. Other temporary structures including, but not limited to, bounce houses, amusement rides, water slides, and stages may also require a Fire Department inspection prior to the event. For information on fire inspection requirements, appointments, and fees, please contact the Morrisville Fire Department at 919-463-6122.

Use of Town Facilities

Event organizers who wish to reserve space at a Town recreational facility or park are asked to contact the Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources Department at 919-463-7110 to discuss facility availability and fee information.

Those organizing events using Town property are required to submit an Event Space Release and Liability Waiver.

Waste & Recycling As part of Morrisville's commitment to improving recycling and reducing waste at all facilities and parks, special event organizers are expected to follow "Recycle Right" messaging provided by NC Department of  Environmental Quality. The Town appreciates the collective community's efforts to help reduce  contamination and improve awareness of proper recycling. When completing a special event application on the CSS Portal,  special event organizers are required to acknowledge "Recycle Right" guidelines and follow them accordingly. Recycle cans are blue and trash cans are gray.

Off-Duty Police Officers and Traffic Control

Event organizers may be required to hire off-duty police officers for crowd, noise, and traffic management, depending on the scope of the event. When planning your event, please contact the Morrisville Police Department at 919-463-1600 to determine officer availability and discuss fees. You can then request to hire an off-duty police officer by submitting the Police Department Extra-Duty Employment Application with your special event permit application.

Event organizers must obtain permission from the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 90 days before any proposed road closings on NCDOT-maintained roads. To verify if a proposed road closure involves NCDOT-maintained roads, please contact the Planning Department at 919-463-6210. Then call NCDOT customer service at 877-368-4968 for information about obtaining permission for the road closure.
The Morrisville Public Works Department has road cones available for events. The event organizer is responsible for setting up these cones prior to the event and returning them to the Public Works Yard at 414 Aviation Parkway after the event. Call the Public Works Department at 919-463-7070 for reservations.