Special Event Permits

The Parks and Recreation Department facilitates Special Event Permits for event holders that want to put on an event in the City of DeBary. Please follow the guidelines below if you are interested in doing an event in DeBary.

Special Event Permit Process

1. Event Policies: Review the City's Special Event Permit Policies prior to applying for a permit to make sure your event will qualify and you know the policies that are in place for events and event holders.

2. Permit Application: Fill out the permit application on this page in full and submit at least 30 days prior to your event. There are no permit fees to submit your application. However, fees may be incurred if your event triggers City services such as sheriff's deputies, fire department, or other City staff or resources that may be required to hold the event. This will be determined during the approval process if a specific request for City services hasn't been requested already.

3. Site Plan: Attach a site plan to your application. This is mandatory and must be included in your application. Per the Special Event Application, additional documentation may be required depending on the type of event.

4.  Insurance: All event holders are required to carry a $1M general liability policy with the City of DeBary listed as an additional named insured. If you do not have insurance for your event at the time of your application, we can wait and accept it once your permit has been approved.

5. Co-Sponsorship Requests: Event holders can request the City to Co-Sponsor the event for purposes of assisting with advertising, waiving fees, or providing City services. To request sponsorship, the event holder must attach a letter on company letterhead with the application outlining the request. The City does not donate money towards events, however the City has a matching grant program where non-profits can apply for up to $500 matching funds to go towards the event. Contact us for more information on the matching grant program.

6. Submitting Your Application: Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your event date. When your application and site plan are ready to be submitted you can send it electronically to Recreation Manager Delaney Lehman at dlehman@debary.org or drop it off at DeBary City Hall to her attention. Once submitted, your application will generally take 1-2 weeks to approve the permit if all the required information has been completed. There are no fees to submit a permit application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When do we need to apply for an event permit?
A: Any publicly advertised event taking place within the City will require a permit. This includes public events on private property, at a business, or a City facility.

Q: If my event is at a Volusia County facility in DeBary do I need a City permit too?
A: No. If your event is taking place at one of the three County facilities in DeBary: Gemini Springs Park, Lake Monroe Park, or the DeBary Hall Mansion you will go through the County's event permit process, which is similar to ours.

Q: If my event is a recurring event, do I need to fill out a permit application each time?
A: Recurring events such as a weekly farmers market, monthly food truck event, etc. only need one application per City fiscal year (Oct.-Sept.) unless the event changes significantly. 

Q: Can we have alcohol at our event?
A: Yes, you can have bottled beer and wine at your event. No kegs or liquor. However, alcohol at an event will require a separate event liquor license and will automatically require you to hire outside detail deputies for the event. The amount of deputies and cost will be contingent on how many patrons the event is expected to draw. Event liquor licenses can be acquired through the State and must be signed off by our Neighborhood Improvement Department.

Q: If my event is not pubically advertised, do I still need an event permit?
A: This will depend on the type and size of the event as well as if you are taking registration fees or selling tickets. Many times private events at a City facility can happen through a rental, rather than an event permit for things like family celebrations, company parties, etc. that are not open to the public. Contact us to discuss prior to submitting your permit application.

Q: Can I have a neighborhood block party and do I need a permit?
A: Yes, block parties are allowed and do need to have an event permit. See the Special Event Policies for all rules pertaining to neighborhood block parties.