Special Event Applications for 2025
Please note that applications submitted less than 14 days before the event will not be accepted. Applications submitted less than 90 days before the event are subject to a late application fee of $100 and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We strongly encourage early submission to ensure proper and adequate processing time. Applicants are required to pay 75% of the estimated special service charges before the permit is issued and the remaining 25% within 30 days of the event's conclusion. Any special event fee waivers to be considered must be submitted at the same time as the application submission. Any questions should be emailed to specialevents@aacounty.org.
June Weekend Update and 4th of July Notice
No new events will be accepted on Saturday, June 28th or Sunday, June 29th due to public safety staffing. For the upcoming 4th of July holiday, we will only accept annual parade events. No new events will be accepted. Please direct questions to specialevents@aacounty.org.
Application Process
- You will be able to submit your application, pay fees, and track the status of your application using the Land Use Navigator System.
- This application is not a permit.
- Please refer to the Special Event Calendar before proceeding with your application.
- Please be advised that incomplete applications will expire after 30 days - please submit application before expiration date. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Any questions should be emailed to specialevents@aacounty.org
- Notice: The $100 expedited fee is only assessed if you apply less than 90 days prior to the event start date. Organizations may request a waiver for the expedited fee and any associated service charges. For more information, please visit the Special Event Permit web page.
Apply Online
To apply online, access the Land Use Navigator system and select the "Licensing" tab:
If you are a first time user of the Land Use Navigator system, access the Help Site to get started
Apply In Person
Customers may apply in person at the Permit Center. Staff will assist you with submitting your application using the Land Use Navigator system at a kiosk. You are encouraged to review the "More Information" and "Frequently Asked Questions" sections below prior to submitting an application. If you have further questions, please email specialevents@aacounty.org or call the Licensing Division at (410) 222-7788. Please bring any plans that may be required.
Parade applications are no longer accepted. Parades now require a Special Event permit. Please use the Special Event application on the Land Use Navigator (LUN) portal when applying for a parade permit and visit our Special Event webpage for additional information.
Alcohol Service Information
- If allowing alcohol at event, please obtain approved Liquor License at least 10 days prior to event.
- The Liquor Board only issues one day liquor licenses to non-profit organizations. If you are not a non-profit, your liquor permit application will be denied.
- Apply for a one day liquor license at: https://www.aacounty.org/applications/OEDY/
- If you are using a caterer who will be providing alcohol, they must have a SCAT license (Statewide Caterer License). Please upload a receipt/agreement from the caterer into the Attachment section of your application.
City of Annapolis
For events taking place within the municipal limits of the City of Annapolis, a City Special Events permit may be required. For more information on City of Annapolis Special Event permits or to submit a permit application, visit https://www.annapolis.gov/465/Special-Events.
Special events approved and permitted within the City of Annapolis do not require additional permitting from Anne Arundel County, Department of Inspections & Permits, Licensing Division.
Rec and Parks
- If this event is located at a County Park or Trail, AND INCLUDES a road closure, please continue to complete this Special Events Permit application, and upload your Rec & Parks approval in the supporting documentation section. Please Contact Rec & Parks at: 410-222-7317.
- If this event is located at a County Park or Trail, and DOES NOT INCLUDE a road closure, DO NOT continue to complete this Special Events Permit application. Please Contact Rec & Parks at: 410-222-7317.
Carnival & Circus
- If this event is a Carnival or Circus, and INCLUDES a road closure, you must complete this Special Events Permit application in addition to the carnival or circus application, which can be completed online through this portal.
- If this event is a Carnival or Circus, and DOES NOT INCLUDE a road closure, DO NOT continue to complete this Special Events Permit application. You will need to complete a carnival or circus application, which can be completed online through this portal.
State Roads & Highways
- To determine if your event will impact State, County or Private roads, please review your event location/route at: DPW Know Your Roads
If state roads are impacted, please CLICK HERE to contact SHA
Anne Arundel County accepts applications for Special Event Permits and will review them based on our capacity to provide public safety personnel and to accommodate applicants with an appropriate location for the event activity.
Q: What is a special event?
A: A Special Event is an activity, athletic event, concert, parade, or public assembly (500 people or more) that is held on a designated day or a series of days and:
- exclusively uses public streets, alleys, right of ways, County waters, or other public property or;
- will physically impede or block the safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic or;
- will necessitate the use of county services exceeding normal operations.
Q: What is not a special event?
A: A Special Event does not include:
- An event held inside a theater, church, school, assembly hall, arena, social hall, government facility, wedding venue, restaurant, hotel ballroom, conference center, or other like structure if the structure is specifically designed to be used as a place for assembly of individuals and follows the maximum occupancy allowed;
- A funeral procession, a vigil, or a spontaneous response to a current event;
- An agritourism event held on private property that does not require the exclusive use of public streets or roads or the use of county services exceeding normal operations;
- An agritourism event and a farm or agricultural heritage site special event as defined in Article 18 of this code authorized by the planning and zoning officer in accordance with § 18-2-203 of this code;
- An activity at a private marina; or
- Any event held at a county owned park or sports field will follow the Department of Recreation and Parks permit process by contacting 410-222-7317.
Q: What is the purpose of the special event permit?
A: This permit helps streamline the different requirements of holding an event in the County, provides the sponsors an easier application process, and ensures that the great events held in the County are safe for the community and patrons.
Other permits may be required for temporary tents and/or associated trade permits, as needed.
Q: Who needs to apply for a special event permit?
A: The person (sponsor) who is organizing the special event that meets the requirements listed in Question 1.
Q: How do I apply for a special event permit?
A: Please visit Inspection and Permits Land Use Navigator (LUN) System to apply for the Special Event license. Additional help guides are available at: Land Use Navigator System Help
Q: Do I need a Special Event Permit for a private event at my home or business?
A: If your event takes place on private property, is not open to the public, and does not meet the requirements in Question 1, you will not need to apply for a Special Event Permit.
Q: How long does the Special Event Permit process take?
A: All applications must be submitted to the Licensing Division no later than 90 days and no earlier than one year prior to the start date of the event. All applications are required to be reviewed and acknowledged by the County within 30 business days of submission.
Q: Where do I find the Licensing portal?
A: Land Use Navigator (LUN) System
Q: What if I have questions about the portal and whether I need a permit?
A: Questions can be submitted to: specialevents@aacounty.org
Q: Are any additional permits required?
A: Other permits may be required for temporary tents and/or associated trade permits, as needed.
Q: Do I need to submit a Special Event permit for a parade?
A: Parades now require a Special Event permit. Please use the Special Event application on the Land Use Navigator (LUN) portal when applying for a parade permit and visit the Special Event webpage for additional information.
Special events are subject to either or both of the following fees:
- Late Fee: $100.00 if the application is filed less than 90 days before the event date; and/or
- Service Charges: Any required public safety personnel, specialized equipment, or inspections based on the special events standardized rate schedule.
Standardized Rate Schedule for Service Charges
These are guidelines and may vary based on the risk assessment of each event, which includes the type of event, purpose, location, duration, anticipated crowd size, weather conditions, and other safety and/or security factors deemed appropriate by public safety officials. This is regularly updated to reflect any changes in hourly or standardized rates.
Can I request a waiver of either or both of these fees?
Event organizers or organizations may request a waiver for a late application fee and/or any associated service charges. Entities that are eligible for this waiver are referenced in Anne Arundel County Code §11-11-105(B) and §11-11-106(E).
Please complete the following form, attach it to your special event application, and send the signed copy to specialevents@aacounty.org. Everything will be reviewed in its entirety and the fee waiver will either be approved or denied where applicable. We strongly encourage early submission to allow for processing time.
How will I be notified of any fees for my event?
If the application is submitted less than 90 days before the event date, you will be automatically required to pay a $100.00 late fee.
If there are service charges for your event, before the permit is issued, the County shall provide the sponsor with an estimate of the costs the County expects to incur in supporting the special event, based on the standardized rate schedule for personnel and equipment.
Can I utilize private services instead of County-based services?
The sponsor is not required to utilize County-based public safety services and is free to hire private services that are licensed and certified to operate in Maryland; however, these private services must meet the public safety standards of Anne Arundel County, so documentation of these services is required.
For any Fire/EMS needs: Please do not contact any fire station in Anne Arundel County directly to inquire about support. All requests for fire/EMS resources are managed through the Fire Department’s Special Events Section.
If I am hosting an annual event, do I need to submit a fee waiver each time?
All event applications are considered “unique” (including annual events) and will require a new, signed fee waiver for each event submission.
Will I be refunded the late application fee and/or any associated service charges if the fee waiver is approved?
If the waiver is approved, an email will be sent to the contact email(s) listed in the application with additional instructions on any questions or refunds. Please also remember to check your spam filters.