A special event permit is required to hold an event on municipal property in the Municipality of Meaford. Be sure to review the following to understand what steps and information are required to secure a special event permit, prior to completing your application.
Permit Timeline & Process
Special Event Applications must be submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to your event.
The supports review of the application by the following departments: Transportation Services; Planning; Municipal Enforcement; Clerk Department; Tourism; Parks and Recreation; Cultural Services Department; Fire Services; and OPP.
Certificate of Insurance
Special Event Permit Applications will not be processed until a Certificate of Insurance is provided to the Municipality.
The Municipality requires a Certificate of Insurance from the event organizer’s insurance provider that outlines the following:
- Names The Corporation of The Municipality of Meaford as additionally insured
- References the name and date of the event
- Provides a limit of liability of no less than $5,000,000.00 per occurrence
- References the name of the Applicant/Organization
Traffic Control & Road Closure Requirements
If road closures are required, they must be approved by the CAO and Director of Infrastructure and Public Works. Please submit this in writing with your event application. Road closures must be supervised by OPP to protect the health and safety of the community.
Food Trucks
For information on food trucks at special events, visit the food truck page.
Alcohol
If you will be serving alcohol at your event, you will require the appropriate permits. Learn more through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Bring Your Own (BYO)
We are still working through the BYO program and monitoring the decisions of other municipalities as well as recommendations from the local health unit. We anticipate a report will be presented to Council in the coming months. Please note the timeline for special event applications has not changed
Alcohol consumption is not permitted on streets, sidewalks, parks, or other unlicenced public spaces. Alcohol may only be consumed in licenced areas, such as restaurants and patios, or at approved, permitted events.
A Special Occasion Permit (SOP) from the AGCO is required to serve alcohol at events. Attendees are not permitted to bring their own alcohol.
The sale of alcohol that is being consumed is only permitted in certain locations on municipal property, as outlined in the Municipal Alcohol Policy.
- Community Centre
- Arena Floor
- Dance Hall
- Meeting Room
- Main Lobby
- Memorial Park
- Kinhall
- Riverside Community Centre
- Main Hall
- Woodford Community Centre
- Main Hall – Upper and Lower Levels
- Bognor Community Centre
- Main Hall
- Meaford Harbour
- Pavilion & Connecting Pad
- Wm. Croft Athletic Field
- Designated Area
- Annan Ball Park
- Designated Area
- Meaford Hall
- Whole Building
- Meaford and District Fire Station
- Whole Building
Municipally Significant Event
The Municipally Significant Events Policy is intended to clarify and streamline the process for organizers of public events who wish to have the Municipality of Meaford designate their event as a municipally significant eventsso that they may apply to acquire a Special Occasion Permit (SOP) under the Liquor License Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.L.19, as amended, for the sale and service of alcohol at their public event.
The Municipality is not obligated to designate any event as municipally significant. The decision of the Clerk, or their written designate, to designate, or not, a public event as a municipally significant event shall be final.
Conditions:
- Applicants must obtain a minimum of FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000) liability insurance, naming the Municipality as an additional insured, at least 10 business days prior to the event. The permit holder shall be required to indemnify and save the Municipality of Meaford harmless from all claims arising from the permit or event. Each event would be considered on its own merit, noting that the actual insurance limits required may be increased at the discretion of the Municipality.
- While the Municipality may designate an event, the Registrar for the AGCO ultimately has the final decision of whether or not to issue a SOP for a public event. In other words, even with a designation by the Municipality, the Registrar may decide not to issue a Public Event SOP.
- Tradeshows and other for-profit commercial events will not be designated a municipally significant event and these proponents would be encouraged to partner with a non-profit charitable organization or third party to obtain a Public Event SOP.
- The Municipal Alcohol Policy will also apply.
- Events designated as municipally significant must continue to assume all responsibility for compliance with regulations regarding SOPs and with other applicable legislation, including but not limited to the rules with respect to the Fire and Building Codes, Noise By-laws, Street Closures, etc.
Application Process:
Download and complete the Application for Declaration of Municipal Significance or complete online.
Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@meaford.ca
Applicants must submit their request for designation as a municipally significant event on the prescribed application form no less than 30 days before requiring a response from the Clerk, or their written designate. Applicants are encouraged to submit their request to the Municipality before applying for a Special Occasion Permit with the AGCO where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
A special event is an organized activity held on municipal property, such as a festival, parade, market, fundraiser, concert, or community gathering. A Special Event Permit is required for these events.
Some tents require a building permit depending on their size and setup. Include tent details in your application and staff will advise if a permit is needed.
Some temporary stages require a building permit depending on their size and design. Include stage details in your application and staff will advise if a permit is needed.