Event Permits + Inspections
Event Permits + Inspections
In many cases, the City requires permits in order to provide safe and healthy events for residents and visitors, and to allow public safety providers quick access to guests in case of an emergency.
Community Event Permit
Events open to the community such as a festival, concert, parade, run, race, sporting event, or trade show require a special event permit for community events.
One community special event permit may cover all of the following at your event:
- Temporary generators
- Emergency medical service
- Amplified music
- Parades
- Runs or races
- Temporary signs
- Banners
- Inflatables (separate permit)
- Stages
- Tents
Additional permits may be required if you plan to have inflatables, or sell or serve food or liquor at your event.
Fees
Fees vary depending on the specific activities of your event. Please apply online and select all activities relevant to your event to see an estimated total.
Application
Apply for a community special event permit on ePLACE, the City’s online permitting system.
Private Event Permit
Private outdoor events in commercial areas and some private outdoor events in residential areas require private special event permits.
Private special event permit holders must:
- Abide by the City’s noise ordinance and limit late night noise.
- Limit excessive on-street parking due to the event and ensure guests do not block driveways with their vehicles.
Private events in residential areas do not require this permit if all tents on the property for the event are smaller than 900 square feet.
Fees
Fees vary depending on the specific activities of your event. Please apply online and select all activities relevant to your event to see an estimated total.
Applications
Apply for a block party special event permit on ePLACE, the City’s online permitting system.
Block Party Permit
Events where the street will be blocked off require a block party special event permit.
Block party special event permit holders must
- Provide temporary street closures for no more than one city block
- Provide immediate access for all emergency vehicles.
- Provide access for drivers of vehicles whose homes or businesses are within the closed area.
- Place barricades and signs at each end of the block warning drivers of the closure.
- Clean any debris left in the street after the party.
- Abide by the City’s noise ordinance and limit late night noise.
- Limit excessive on-street parking due to the event and ensure guests do not block driveways with their vehicles.
Limitations
No more than one city block may be closed with this permit.
The City does not provide barricades or signs for street closures unless the neighborhood or homeowners association is a voting member of the Neighborhood Executive Committee.
Fees
Fees vary depending on the specific activities of your event. Please apply online and select all activities relevant to your event to see an estimated total.
Applications
Apply for a block party special event permit at least one week before your event on ePLACE, the City’s online permitting system.
Promotional Activities Permit
Large promotional activities, including temporary structures, inflatable objects larger than eight cubic feet, animated devices, projected images or beams of light, and more, require a promotional activities special event permit.
Promotional activities special event permit holders must
- Have the approval of the property owner.
- Provide location information and a site plan for the activity.
- Provide a written description of the event, including the start and end date and time.
- Keep all signs for the activity out of the public right of way.
- Keep all structures ten feed away from the public right of way.
Limitations
Promotional activities special event permits are valid for no more than five days.
No more than three attention-attracting devices will be approved at one time. No more than four promotional activities special event permits will be approved per organization in a calendar year. No more than two promotional activities special event permits will be approved per residential leasing or sales office per calendar year.
Fees
- First and second applications: $125
- Remaining two applications: $250
Fees are waived for nonprofit organizations.
Bounce houses, inflatables, and rides are also subject to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act and require proof of state compliance before the City will issue a permit.
Applications
Apply for a promotional activities special event permit on ePLACE, the City’s online permitting system.
Temporary Sign or Single Banner Permit
A temporary sign or banner permit allows a single sign or banner to be mounted on a building temporarily.
Limitations
Sign or banner permits are valid for no more than 15 days.
No more than four sign or banner permits will be issued to any organization in a calendar year. No more than two sign or banner permits will be issued per residential leasing or sales office per calendar year.
Fees
- First and second applications: $30
- Remaining two applications: $70
Fees are waived for nonprofit organizations.
Application
Apply for a temporary sign or banner permit on ePLACE, the City’s online permitting system.
Multiple Devices or Gadgets Sign Permits
A multiple devices or gadgets sign permit allows for attention-attracting devices such as signs, banners, or balloons on a property, or more than one sign, device, or gadget, to be mounted on a building temporarily.
Permit holders must
- Have the approval of the property owner.
- Provide location information and a site plan for the activity.
- Keep all signs for the activity out of the public right of way.
- Keep all structures ten feed away from the public right of way.
Limitations
Multiple devices or gadgets sign permits are valid for no more than 10 days.
No more than three attention-attracting devices will be approved per event.
Fees
- First and second applications: $50
- Remaining two applications: $100
Fees are waived for nonprofit organizations.
Applications
Apply for a multiple devices or gadgets sign permit on ePLACE, the City’s online permitting system.
Event Permits for Food + Drink
Temporary Food Vendor Permit
A temporary food service permit is required for temporary food service operations in Overland Park. This includes items requiring minimal on-site preparation such as hot dogs, bratwurst, or similarly-cased products.
Temporary Liquor License
Anyone who wants to sell liquor at a special event must have a temporary liquor license.
Mobile Food Service Permit
A mobile food service permit is required any mobile food service establishment operating in Overland Park, including food trucks.
Permit Exceptions
Permits are not required for the following types of events or activities:
- Garage sales
- Transient merchant sales
- Costumes: events do not require additional permits because of costumes or uniforms.
While these operations are not permitted, there are municipal codes that govern garage sales and transient merchant sales. Please refer to the corresponding pages for each operation for more information.
Religious organization may display up to three temporary signs per calendar year, no larger than 50 square feet in area, to promote events happening at that location. No permit is required, but all other events are subject to the City’s permitting requirements.