Plan an Event

Getting Started with Your Event

Multiple approvals from City departments and other government agencies may be needed to hold your event in Saint Paul. The approvals depend upon the nature of the event, the location, the activities that are planned, and if any food and beverages are provided. Keep in mind some approvals must be applied for up to 60 days before the scheduled event and may require multiple payments to separate City departments or other agencies.

Here you will find information about obtaining permits from City departments based on the location of your special event. You will also find a list of common questions about event-related licenses and permits required specifically by DSI.

Events Held on Public Property or Streets

Any individual or organization planning on hosting a block party, community festival, parade, race, or public assembly in city parks or streets must apply and receive a permit for the event(s) through the appropriate departments.

Speakers, DJs, music, PA systems... anything that takes a sound and makes it louder. You will need a Sound Level Variance or an Amplified Sound Permit depending when you will host your event, how loud it will be, and how long the event will take place.

Sound Level Variances require a public hearing by the City Council. Due to the notification process and response period, SLVs take 45-60 days to process. Therefore, the SLV needs to be submitted at least 45 days before the last public hearing date, not 45 days before the event date. Please contact our Licensing Division through the general DSI number at 651-266-8989 with further questions or assistance.

Amplified Sound Permits do not require a public hearing, but are only issued for events within certain time, length and volume limits. Notably, the event organizer is responsible for notifying neighbors and all adjoining properties within 300 feet. The permit issuing authority depends on the event location - DSI issues for residential and non-residential properties, while Parks and Recreation issues for park property.

Common Permits and Licenses for Events

Temporary structures are stages, scaffolding, towers, light structures, bleachers, etc. Any stages over 30 inches, bleachers over 54 inches, or any other structure requires a general building permit through the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Please contact our Plan Review Division through the general DSI number at 651-266-8989 with further questions or assistance.
Additional information about building permits may be found on this page.
If the total amount of propane being used for the event (heating a tent, cooking, or other temp heat) is greater than 100 pounds (excluding propane mounted to food trucks and not on the ground) a propane permit through the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Please contact our Fire Safety Division through the general DSI number at 651-266-8989 with further questions or assistance.
Speakers, DJs, music, PA systems... anything that takes a sound and makes it louder. You will need a Sound Level Variance or an Amplified Sound Permit depending when you will host your event, how loud it will be, and how long the event will take place.
Sound Level Variances require a public hearing by the City Council. Due to the notification process and response period, SLVs take 45-60 days to process. Therefore, the SLV needs to be submitted at least 45 days before the last public hearing date, not 45 days before the event date. Please contact our Licensing Division through the general DSI number at 651-266-8989 with further questions or assistance.
Amplified Sound Permits do not require a public hearing, but are only issued for events within certain time, length and volume limits. Notably, the event organizer is responsible for notifying neighbors and all adjoining properties within 300 feet. The permit issuing authority depends on the event location - DSI issues for residential and non-residential properties, while Parks and Recreation issues for park property.
Please address additional application requirements for Sound Level Variances.

If so, a liquor, wine, or malt license is required through the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) is required. Please contact our Licensing Division through the general DSI number at 651-266-8989 with further questions or assistance.

Please address additional application requirements per license:

License Type	Definition
Entertainment (Temporary)	One-day license; an establishment with an annual City liquor license may apply for a temporary entertainment license valid for a 24-hour period; an establishment that already has an annual entertainment license is not required to obtain a temporary entertainment license.
Liquor/Catering On-Sale (Temporary)	For establishments with a current State AGED Caterer Permit and NO City of St. Paul Annual Liquor license.
Liquor - Extension of Service Area (Temporary)	For liquor licensee to sell or serve intoxicating liquors in area outside the building structure which are immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the structure containing the licensed premises.
Liquor - On Sale (Temporary)	A club or charitable, religious or other nonprofit organization in existence for at least three (3) years may obtain an on-sale license to sell intoxicating liquor for consumption on the licensees premises only and in connection with a social event within the city sponsored by the licensee; the license may provide that the licensee may contract for intoxicating liquor catering services with the holder of a full year on-sale intoxicating liquor licensee issued by the city.
Liquor - On Sale Brewery/Distillery (Temporary)	A brewer who manufactures fewer than 3,500 barrels of malt liquor in a year, or a micro distillery may obtain a temporary on-sale license to sell intoxicating liquor for consumption on the licensed premise only and in connection with a social event within the City sponsored by the licensee.
Malt - On Sale (Temporary) 3.2	A club or charitable, religious or other nonprofit organization in existence for at least three (3) years, or a political committee registered under Minnesota Statutes, Section 10A.14, may obtain a temporary on-sale license to sell nonintoxicating malt liquor on the premises specified in the license, including playgrounds, school grounds, and school buildings.
Wine - On Sale (Temporary)	A club or charitable, religious or other nonprofit organization in existence for at least three (3) years, or a political committee registered with the State of Minnesota, may obtain an on-sale license to sell wine and strong beer not exceeding 14% by volume for consumption on the licensed premises only.
Wine Annual Festival (Temporary)	Wine licenses for festivals; the City may issue a temporary on-sale and off-sale wine license to a bona fide association of owners and operators of wineries sponsoring an annual festival to showcase wines produced by members.

Angie Wiese, PE (MN), CBO
DSI Director

Address
375 Jackson Street, Suite 220
Saint Paul, MN 55101

General Information
Phone: 651-266-8989
Fax: 651-266-9124

Website
Safety and Inspections (DSI) | Saint Paul Minnesota (stpaul.gov)

Hours
7:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 4:30 pm the first Tuesday of every month

Customer Lobby Hours
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm the first Tuesday of every month

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Plan an Event

Getting Started with Your Event

Events Held on Public Property or Streets

Will your event impact city streets?

Will your event take place within a city park property?

Will your event take place on capitol grounds?

Will any form of sound amplification be used?

Common Permits and Licenses for Events

Will any temporary structures be needed?

Will there be any tents larger than 10' x 10' being used?

Will any generators or additional power supplies be used?

Will any person or vendor be using propane?

Will any fireworks be displayed?

Will there be signage over six square feet?

Will any form of sound amplification be used?

Will there be any charitable gambling?

Will there be any carnival rides?

Will alcohol be served, sold, or given away?

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