Action Center.
Means the Action Center for the City of DeSoto, Texas, which serves as the administrative intake and coordination office for special event applications under the direction of the Director of Community Services and External Affairs.
Applicant.
Means a person who has filed a written application for a special event permit.
Block Party.
Means the use of a residential street for a neighborhood function in which traffic control is required.
City.
Means the City of DeSoto, Texas.
Demonstration.
Means a public display of the attitude of assembled persons toward a person, cause, issue, or other matter.
Director of Community Services and External Affairs.
Means the director of Community Services and External Affairs or their designee.
Person.
Means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.
Reimbursable Costs.
Means all costs and expenses incurred by the city for activities associated with staging of the event, including, without limitation, the following:
(1) 
Utilities services provided to the special event, including all of the costs of installation, maintenance, and connection.
(2) 
Food services inspection.
(3) 
Repair, maintenance and removal of facilities in the event of a failure of promoter.
(4) 
Repair of streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, and other public property.
(5) 
Police protection.
(6) 
Fire protection.
(7) 
Emergency medical service.
(8) 
Garbage disposal and cleanup.
(9) 
Traffic control.
(10) 
Other direct costs associated with the special event.
Special event.
Means a temporary event or gathering, including a special event parade, with an expected total attendance of 100 or more, which involves one or more of the following on private or public property where otherwise prohibited:
(1) 
Road, alley or sidewalk closures are proposed or necessary for the event to function;
(2) 
Restricting access to public property;
(3) 
The event is open to the public and/or charges admission;
(4) 
There is any sort of temporary fencing or infrastructure going into the existing space;
(5) 
There are any food and/or beverage sales as a result of the event within DeSoto;
(6) 
Erection of a tent on public property, or on private property where otherwise prohibited by ordinance;
(7) 
Installation of a stage, band shell, trailer, van, portable building, portable toilets, grandstand, or bleachers on public property, or on private property where otherwise prohibited by ordinance;
(8) 
Placement of portable toilets on public property, or on private property where otherwise prohibited by ordinance;
(9) 
All moving events to include runs, walks, rides, special event parades, processions (regardless of expected attendance and not to include lawful activity that constitutes protected expression pursuant to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution); or
(10) 
Placement of event signage including temporary no parking, directional, oversized, sponsor, or identification signs or banners that are placed in or over a public right-of-way, or on private property where otherwise prohibited by ordinance.
Special Event Parade.
Means the assembly of three or more persons whose gathering is for the common design of traveling or marching in procession from one location to any other location for the purpose of advertising, promoting, celebrating, or commemorating a thing, person, date, or event that is not directly related to the expression of feelings and beliefs on current political, religious, or social issues.
Special Event Permit.
Means written approval from the Director of Community Services and External Affairs or their designee to hold a Special Event.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1001; Ordinance 1878-11 adopted 4/19/11; Ordinance 2459-25 adopted 10/21/2025)
(a) 
The provisions of this article shall be administered by the Director of Community Services and External Affairs or their designee and enforced by the Director, their designee, or any police officer.
(b) 
The Director of Community Services and External Affairs has the authority to issue a Special Event Permit that authorizes one or more of the activities described in section 4.701, special event, when requirements of this article have been met.
(c) 
Application for a special events permit authorizes appropriate city departments to issue permits for the activities described in Section 4.701 in locations where the activity would otherwise be prohibited by ordinance.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1002; Ordinance 2459-25 adopted 10/21/2025)
The provisions of this article are cumulative of all city ordinances. Tent permits, building permits, electrical permits, food establishment permits, alcoholic beverage licenses, and all other permits required by ordinance or other law for specific activities to be conducted in conjunction with or as part of the special event must be applied for separately in accordance with the applicable ordinance or law.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1003)
The provisions of this article do not apply to a special event conducted by the city or to activities conducted at the town center by written agreement, or a peaceful demonstration at a fixed location other than a street.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1004)
(a) 
All Special Events held in the City of DeSoto are required to be conducted and held pursuant to a Special Event Permit issued through the Director of Community Services and External Affairs. Applicants shall contact the Action Center for application submission and scheduling. Applicants are encouraged to host the Special Event at the City of DeSoto Civic Center; however, applications submitted for Special Events in areas other than the City of DeSoto Civic Center shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
(b) 
An Applicant desiring to apply for a Special Event Permit shall contact the Action Center to inquire about available dates for the Special Event. Subject to this article, a returning Special Event for a successive year may be given priority consideration for the same time period in which it was held in the previous year.
(c) 
A Special Event Application form must be completed and submitted to the Action Center per the following:
(1) 
120 calendar days in advance - Special Events with an expected attendance of less than 3,000 attendees.
(2) 
180 calendar days in advance - Special Events with an expected attendance of 3,000 or more attendees.
(d) 
The Special Event Application shall contain, without limitation, the following information (all such information is public information subject to the Texas Public Information Act and other applicable laws):
(1) 
Application Information.
Applicant name, Organization name, type of Organization (including a representation that the Applicant and Organization are in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas and the United States of America), address, city, state, zip code, email address, web site address, telephone number, facsimile number, mobile phone number, pager number, on-site contact, and mobile phone number of on-site contact.
(2) 
Special Event Information.
Special Event name, Special Event date(s) and time(s), type of Special Event, previous date(s), previous attendance, expected attendance, admission fee, estimated budget, proposed Special Event area and site plan, setup dates, teardown dates, Special Event sponsors, and Special Event beneficiaries.
(3) 
Advertising and Promotion.
Listing of type of advertising and promotion, including radio, television, print ads, press releases, fliers, posters, direct mail, etc.
(4) 
Special Event Special Features.
Plans for sounds amplification, stage, dance floor, food and beverage services (also provide name of concessionaire/caterer), sale or distribution of alcohol, open flames, cooking, road closures, tents or canopies, temporary fencing, restrooms, sinks, dumpsters, trash containers, trash collection, electrical service, rentals, professional parking/valet, carnival/amusement rides/attractions, climate control, pyrotechnics, seating, animals, barricades, bicycles, decorations, golf carts, inflatables, security, transportation, signage, sale of tickets, and any other special features planned for in connection with the Special Event.
(5) 
Insurance.
Evidence of insurance conforming to the minimum requirements set forth in the City of DeSoto Event Guidelines, including name and contact information for Insurance Agency. The City of DeSoto shall be listed as additionally insured and a waiver of subrogation shall be provided to the City of DeSoto.
(6) 
References.
List of four organizations Applicant has done business with in connection with the proposed Special Event.
(e) 
The minimum requirements to apply for a Special Event Permit are:
(1) 
Completed Application;
(2) 
Application Fee (Action Center shall issue an invoice for payment);
(3) 
Initial site plan of Special Event showing all temporary installations, road closures, parking, and direction signage; and
(4) 
Special Event Contingency and Emergency Action Plan.
(f) 
Upon receipt of the completed application, the Action Center shall forward a copy of the application to the departments of police, fire, code services, public works, and planning. Each department or director, as the case may be, shall review the application and return it, with any comments, to the Action Center within 10 working days of receipt.
(g) 
The departments and the Action Center may prescribe licenses and permits required by other city ordinances or applicable law, restrictions, regulations, costs for city services, safeguards, and other conditions necessary for the safe and orderly conduct of a Special Event, to be incorporated into the Special Event Permit before issuance.
(h) 
A deposit of one-half of the estimated reimbursable costs required to be paid to the City as a result of a Special Event shall be received by the Action Center not less than five calendar days before the date of the Special Event as shown on the Special Event Permit. Prior to the issuance of the Special Event Permit, the Applicant shall agree in writing to pay such a deposit and the balance of the reimbursable costs within 30 calendar days after the Special Event.
(i) 
After reviewing the application and department comments, the Director of Community Services and External Affairs shall issue the Special Event Permit unless denial is required by Section 4.707. A Special Event Permit shall be issued for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive calendar days. A Special Event Permit is required for each 14 calendar day period during which a Special Event will be conducted.
(j) 
Given the City's limited resources and the impact to the community, no more than two Special Events shall be permitted for one location in a 12 month period.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1005; Ordinance 1878-11 adopted 4/19/11; Ordinance 2459-25 adopted 10/21/2025)
An applicant for a special permit must execute a written agreement to indemnify the city and its officers and employees against all claims of injury or damage to persons or property, whether public or private, arising out of the special event.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1006)
(a) 
The Special Event Committee shall review each completed application and make a final determination for a Special Event Permit within 30 calendar days. The Special Event Committee may determine that clarifications or additional information may be necessary for proper consideration of an application; therefore, additional time may be necessary to make a final determination on the application. An Applicant shall promptly provide such clarification for information.
(b) 
The Special Event Committee may approve, approve with conditions, or deny an application. If the Special Event Committee determines at any time after approval that the Special Event is not in compliance with the Special Event Permit, the Director of Community Services and External Affairs may revoke the Special Event Permit. A majority vote or consensus is required for any decision of the Special Event Committee. The City of DeSoto does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, political or religious beliefs, gender, age, or disability status.
(c) 
The Director of Community Services and External Affairs shall notify an Applicant in writing of the Special Event Committee's decision to approve or deny a Special Event through the Action Center. If the application is approved, the notification shall advise the Applicant of the minimum staffing levels for the Special Event, any specific requirements imposed by the Special Event Committee, and the time frame for completing such requirements.
(d) 
The City may, in its sole discretion, postpone, cancel, suspend, or close any Special Event or revoke a Special Event Permit for any of the following reasons: force majeure event (force majeure event means and includes fire, casualty, strikes, lockouts, labor trouble, inability to procure materials or supplies, failure of power, government authority, inclement weather, acts of God, war or terrorism or the potential or actual threat thereof, public safety or public welfare considerations, riots, local, national, or international emergencies, or other reasons of similar nature). The City shall have no liability for such postponement, cancellation, suspension, or closing. The City shall have no liability from the failure to postpone, cancel, suspend, or close the Special Event for the above-listed or for any other reason.
(e) 
The City may revoke a Special Event Permit at any time due to the failure of Applicant to comply with any of the terms and conditions of the Special Event Permit, with guidelines of DeSoto Parks, or any other rules and regulations of the City. The failure by the City to revoke a Special Event Permit, or to exercise any right, power, or authority shall not constitute a waiver of the terms or conditions of the Special Event Permit and shall not affect the rights of the City to enforce against any other or subsequent breach by the Applicant.
(f) 
The revocation of a Special Event Permit does not prohibit the City from exercising any and all additional rights and remedies available at law or in equity as a result of Applicant's failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the Special Event Permit, or other ordinance, rule, or regulation of the City.
(g) 
Applicant shall notify the Special Events Department in writing if Applicant intends to cancel or change the dates of the Special Event. No refunds of any fees paid to City shall be made if Applicant cancels the Special Event for any reason whatsoever within 45 calendar days of the scheduled date.
(h) 
If the Special Event is cancelled or postponed due to a force majeure event, Applicant may reschedule the Special Event at no charge within 90 calendar days following the original date of the Special Event, subject to availability of the scheduled location.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1007; Ordinance 1878-11 adopted 4/19/11; Ordinance 2459-25 adopted 10/21/2025)
(a) 
The Special Event Committee's decision of denial may be appealed to the City Manager. The appeal shall be made in writing and filed with the Action Center within 10 calendar days after the date of denial. If such appeal is not made within the 10 calendar day period, the decision of the Special Event Committee shall be final. The appeals shall be decided by the City Manager within 10 calendar days after the date of receipt of a timely filed appeal.
(b) 
The City's decision of revocation may be appealed to the City Manager. The appeal shall be made in writing and filed with the Director of Community Services and External Affairs through the Action Center within three calendar days after the date of revocation. If such appeal is not made within the three calendar day period, the decision of the City shall be final. The appeals shall be decided by the City Manager within one calendar day after the date of receipt of a timely filed appeal.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1008; Ordinance 2459-25 adopted 10/21/2025)
A person commits an offense if he:
(1) 
commences or conducts a special event without a special event permit; or
(2) 
fails to comply with any requirement or provision of a special event permit or this article.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Article 4.1000, Section 4.1009)