Outdoor Special Events & Temporary Sales Permit

Which events require an outdoor special event or temporary outdoor sales permit?

A permit is required for any temporary outdoor event or sale that is not a regular or approved use of the property. Additionally, permits are not necessary for church events held on church property or for events at City parks or recreation facilities.

Examples of Outdoor Special Events

Outdoor events covered under this section include, but are not limited to, circuses, carnivals, tent revivals, outdoor exhibitions, road festivals, ribbon cuttings, grand openings and organized competitive events.

Where are Outdoor Special Events and Temporary Outdoor Sales allowed?

These events are allowed on developed properties zoned for open space recreation, institutional, general commercial and planned unit development/master planned unit development.

How long can an Outdoor Special Event be?

A maximum of seven (7) consecutive days, and no more than four (4) such events are permitted on the same property per year, without prior City approval.

How long can Temporary Outdoor Sales be?

• Temporary Tent & Parking Lot Sales: Limited to two (2) one-week sales events per calendar year by a locally licensed business or sponsored by a locally licensed business on the same property.
• Christmas Tree Sales: A maximum of forty-five (45) days per calendar year.
• Crafter/ Vendor Annual Permit: Limited to twelve (12) non-continuous two-day sales events per calendar year. Only one (1) applicant may apply per site at any scheduled sale. A schedule of sale event dates and a letter from the property owner stating its consent shall be provided at the time of application.
• Farmer’s Market Annual Permit: Limited to twenty-four (24) non-continuous two-day sales events per calendar year. Only one (1) applicant may apply per site at any scheduled event. A schedule of event dates and a letter from the property owner stating its consent shall be provided at the time of application.

Special Event applications must be submitted at minimum 30 days before the first day of the special event. 

Temporary Outdoor Sales applications must be submitted at minimum 14 days before the first day of the sales event.

Applications submitted after the deadline could be subject to denial and lead to your special event not being authorized to proceed as scheduled.

Once you begin your application, you can save your progress(PDF, 280KB)(PDF, 203KB)and return later to finish at your convenience

Please note the following documents are required to submit an Outdoor Special Event or Temporary Outdoor Sales Application.

• Consent letter from the property owner.
• A copy of your driver's license.
• A site plan showing the location of the special event or outdoor sale; adjacent roads & buildings; all structures to be used in the event including tents (include dimensions); booths (include dimensions); stages (include dimensions); exhibits; visual sky displays (including, but not limited to, fireworks, drone shows, light shows, projections, etc.); width of aisles; means of ingress and egress; concession areas; event parking areas; waste removal facilities; sanitary facilities; utilities such as electrical and telephone facilities; and any storage structures and/or trailers.
• A copy of indemnification and insurance, if using public property.
• Approval document from St. Lucie County Fire District, if there will be a tent larger than 30x30 on site.
• Copy of email response from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Development, if food will be prepared and/or sold. Your initial email to FDBPR should include the following information:
  • Time and location of the event
  • Type of food service proposed
  • Complete list of food service vendor owners and operators participating
  • Current license number of each public food service establishment participating
• Temporary alcohol license, if alcohol will be sold and/or served.
• Approval document from City of Port St. Lucie Animal Control, if any animals/reptiles are involved in the temporary outdoor sale/event.
• Inspection reports for all mechanical rides from the Department of Agriculture, if any mechanical rides will be on site.
• A noise permit from the Police Department, if there is a sound system or PA system on site.
• A permit from the St. Lucie County Fire District is required if you are selling fireworks on site.
• If you are claiming nonprofit status, proof of nonprofit status must be attached.
• If the special event or temporary outdoor sale is located in Tradition, you will need permission from the Tradition Community Association.
• If the special event or temporary outdoor sale is located in St. Lucie West, you will need permission from the St. Lucie West Commercial Association.

The following fees must be paid in full before any equipment is brought to the location where the outdoor special event or temporary outdoor sale will take place.

Tradition Community Association (Master HOA)
Ali Griffin
10807 SW Tradition Sq
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
Email: agriffin@castlegroup.com 
Phone: (772) 345-5101

St. Lucie West Commercial Association, Inc.
543 NW Lake Whitney Place - Suite 101
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Email: Info@slwca.com
Phone: (772) 807-5217

St. Lucie County Fire District
Kelly Machado
5160 NW Milner Dr
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Email: kmachado@slcfd.org
Phone: (772) 621-3344

Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (FDBPR) - Division of Hotel and Restaurants
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011
Phone: (850) 487-1395
Email: dhr.info@myfloridalicense.com

Port St. Lucie Police Department
City Hall Municipal Complex - Building C
121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd
Port St. Lucie, FL 34984
Phone: (772) 871-5000

Port St. Lucie Animal Control
1133 SW S. Macedo Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL34983
Phone: (772) 871-5042

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection
2005 Apalachee Pkwy.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500
Email: FairRides@FDACS.gov
Phone: (850) 410-3838