Outdoor Events Licences
Outdoor event license application information.
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 famiiiarise themselves with the following legislation:
- Planning & Development Act 2000
- Planning and Development Regulations 2001
- Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2015
The following codes of practise and guidelines provide practical guidance which applicants may find useful.
- Code of Practice for Safety at Outdoor Pop Concerts and other outdoor musical events Department of Education in January 1996.
- Code of Practice for Safety at Sports Grounds, 1996.
- Code of Practice for Management of Fire Safety in Places of Assembly,Department of Environment.
- Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Furnishings and Fittings in Places of Assembly, Department of Environment.
- Ensure compliance is achieved with the requirements of the Fire Services Act 1981 and Amendment 2003 and the Fire Safety in Places of Assembly (Ease of Escape) Regulations 1985.
- Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
- Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014.
- Litter Pollution Act 1997 (as amended in 2017).
- Environmental Protection Agency Act and regulations.
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 two x 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 three 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 four weeks in advance of the event commencing.