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What qualifies as an outdoor event?

Under the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) an event is defined as:

  • (a) A public performance which takes place wholly or mainly in the open air or in a structure with no roof or a partial, temporary or retractable roof, a tent or similar temporary structure and which is comprised of music, dancing, displays of public entertainment or any activity of a like kind,

    and
  • (b) Any other event as prescribed by the Minister under Section 241.

Why do I need a license?

Where an outdoor public event will have more than 5,000 in attendance, the organiser is required to obtain an Outdoor Events Licence from the Local Authority. If you wish to hold an outdoor event in Dublin City, you must obtain a license from Dublin City Council.

Is there legislation or regulations I should be aware of before applying for a license?

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the following legislation:

The following codes of practise and guidelines provide practical guidance which applicants may find useful.

When should I apply for a license?

An application for an outdoor event licence must be lodged with Dublin City Council a minimum 13 weeks prior to the commencement of the first event to which the application refers.

How do I apply for a license?

To apply for an outdoor event license, event organisers must submit a prescribed preliminary risk assessment form of the proposed event.

Event organisers must also hold a pre-application consultation meeting with Dublin City Council. Prescribed bodies will be invited to attend this meeting by Dublin City Council. These meetings must be held within the 12 month period prior to the date of the event. Applications for events where this meeting has not occurred must be refused.

Applications must be accompanied by:

  • Applicant details
  • Dates and duration of proposed event(s)
  • Anticipated attendance
  • Copies of 2x newspaper notices (local and national)
  • Application fee of €2,500
  • Written consent from land/venue owners
  • Statement of compliance confirming no substantial or repeated breaches of a licence, or conditions of a licence issued to the applicant by any local authority in the previous 24 months
  • A draft Event Management Plan inclusive of appropriate drawings and site plans

Where should I send my application?

Applications should be sent to:

Planning and Property Development Department

Outdoor Event Licence Section,

Block 4,

Floor 2,

Civic Offices,

Wood Quay,

Dublin 8.

What happens once my application is received?

Upon receipt of an application, the draft Event Management Plan, site plans and drawings are made available for inspection at the public planning counter of the Dublin City Council offices during office hours.

Notification of the application is entered onto the weekly planning list and displayed on the Dublin City Council website.

Third party written submissions on an application can be made within 3 weeks from the date the application is received.

Submissions to Dublin City Council can be made directly to:

Planning and Property Development Department,

Outdoor Event Licence Section,

Block 4,

Floor 2,

Civic Offices,

Wood Quay,

Dublin 8.

Submissions or observations will only be considered if they include the name and residential or business address of the person or organisation making the submission.

Statutory consultation meetings are convened by the Local Authority and attended by the statutory agencies, applicants and venue owners as applicable.

When will I learn if my application has been successful?

Local authorities are obliged to make its decision on an application at least 4 weeks in advance of the event commencing.

Where can I view current applications?

Current applications available to view here.

Preliminary Risk Assessment Form
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