Thank you for your interest in hosting an event in Savannah.  On July 1, 2021, Mayor Van Johnson opened our community to events. We understand that many of you have had to postpone your events through the pandemic and are now anxious to plan and move forward.  

The City of Savannah Special Events Ordinance requires a 90-day window for approval of events. However, permit applications received for events between now and November 1 2021, will be reviewed on a case by case basis to be approved / denied within a shorter time frame. Permit applications for events occurring AFTER November 1, 2021, will be processed within the normal 90 day time frame in accordance with the ordinance.

All permits submitted AFTER November 1, 2021 will fall under the normal 90 day approval window.  

The Office of Special Events, Film & Tourism was created to streamline services offered by the City of Savannah for these industries. This is accomplished by having a one-stop shop for individuals and organizations to plan their events and gain necessary permitting.  

Primary Services include:

• Permitting for film and media projects for students and professional filmmakers;
• Coordinating and permitting large-scale events;
• Permitting block parties and festivals;
• Permitting food trucks, coordinating food truck lotteries, and hosting food truck rodeos;
• Permitting and managing events in parks and squares;
• Managing tourism-related improvements and complaints.

The Office is located in Daffin Park at One Waring Drive. Please contact the Office at (912) 351-3837 for information about services.

Important Information

Starting January 1, 2020, the Office of Special Events, Film & Tourism will no longer accept personal checks for permits. The only form of payment taken will be Money Orders and Cashier’s Checks. Thank you.

The Office of Special Events, Film and Tourism can no longer “hold” dates without a permit application. This includes permit applications for parks, squares, runs, parades or any other event (except film) in the public right-of-way These changes are being made so that we can more effectively and equitably manage the multitude of event requests that we receive.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:
1. Event organizers must submit a permit application in order to hold a date;
2. Event organizers can submit a permit application for review one calendar year prior to the event; and
3. At a minimum, permit applications must be received by this office no later than 90 days from the date of the event.
Application submission DOES NOT indicate approval.

Important Dates

The Special Events Ordinance will be effective January 1, 2020. 

The Tour Service for Hire Ordinance will be effective January 1, 2020. All tour companies have until April 1, 2020 to comply with all requirements in the Tour Service For Hire Ordinance.

Photo credits: Bunny Ware