The City of Bradenton’s Event Review Committee (ERC) oversees the processing of applications to hold both public and private events on city property.

The following procedure shall be followed by all event organizers to obtain an event permit from the City of Bradenton. You may call the City of Bradenton at (941) 932-9450 if you have any questions.

Steps to Follow

BEFORE APPLYING

Check venue availability on our Event Calendar. Please note: not all events are listed on this calendar. For a copy of the Event Manual and Event Permit Application, call 941-932-9450 or email Events@Bradentonfl.gov

Step 1: Submit Event Permit Application and Street Closure Request (if needed)

• Complete and submit Event Permit Application 6 months prior to an “A” event and 3 months prior to a “B” event. Only completed applications will be reviewed.
• Submit a City of Bradenton Request for Temporary Closing of City Street(s) – If needed

Send the above items to:

• Scan and email: Events@Bradentonfl.gov
• Mail or hand deliver: Office of the Mayor – City of Bradenton, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton, FL 34205

Step 2: Await Contact from the City of Bradenton

You will await contact from the City of Bradenton. Fees and damage deposit required will be communicated to you at this time. *You may be asked to attend an ERC meeting prepared to present your event to the committee. 

Step 3: Finalize Approval Process

Provide the following:

• Certificate of Liability Insurance (with Liquor Liability Endorsement, if applicable) as specified by the City of Bradenton
• Damage Deposit
• Rental Fee
• Signed tent permit (if applicable)
• Provide the Drug Free Manatee’s Certificate of the Festival & Event Alcohol Training Course for the Event Organizer(s). This course can be completed online at www.drugfreemanatee.org

Send the above items to

• Scan and email: Events@Bradentonfl.gov
• Mail or hand deliver: Office of the City Council & City Clerk – City of Bradenton, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton, FL 34205

Step 4: Schedule City Services (see list of Contacts)

• The City of Bradenton Police Department (BPD) will contact you to discuss security requirements and schedule officers if deemed necessary by the BPD.
• Contact Manatee County Department of Public Safety to schedule EMS if necessary. Patron safety is the responsibility of the event organizer. 
• For other city services, the appropriate City of Bradenton personnel will contact you to schedule and provide written estimates of cost for services.

Note: If city services deemed necessary by ERC are not paid by applicant within 30 days, the cost of those services will be deducted from damage deposit. 

Step 5: Notifications

Notify any businesses affected by event.
Note: Races require additional notifications.

Step 6: Attend ERC Meeting, if required

30 days prior to your event you may be asked to attend an ERC meeting. You must be prepared to present the following information:

• Internal Day of Event Agenda – listing details on set up, vendor arrivals, volunteer arrivals and numbers, expected crowd, plan for food and beverage, city services scheduled, and break down.
• Final site plan
• Parking plans
• Community notifications of event (businesses and residents affected and how they have been notified).

*Failure to provide the above information may result in permit being denied.
Note: ANY changes from initial event application must be communicated to the ERC prior to this meeting.

Step 7: Receive Event Permit

You will be issued an event permit from the City of Bradenton. Please keep this permit and your application with you on the event day in case any questions arise.

Step 8: Post Event Review

The event site will be evaluated by Public Works and Utilities personnel. Any property damaged or lost due to the event will result in a deduction from damage deposit AND/OR a claim against the liability insurance. You will generally receive your damage deposit 30 days after city services have been paid. You may be asked to attend an ERC meeting for a formal post event review.