City of Orem

Event organizers planning festivals, concerts, events, track meets or similar activities on City of Orem property must submit an application to the City of Orem. This includes paying the appropriate fees and providing proof of insurance and other required documents. Applications must be filed with the city at least 30 days before the event, and organizers are prohibited from advertising the event until they receive approval. In addition to the City permit, some events may also need permits from external organizations, such as UDOT or the county.

The special events ordinance is designed to regulate how and when events can be held on public property in the City of Orem. This ordinance helps manage the impact on traffic flow and public rights. While private gatherings of families or small groups do not require an application, any event that might disrupt public rights must comply with the ordinance. Please review description if unsure if your event qualifies for a City Property Use Permit.

To organize a public event in the City of Orem, complete the City Property Use Permit Application and submit it for approval. The application does not automatically approve you for a City Property Use Permit. Please look for an email from our department regarding your application status. 

Description

City approval will be required, if the following circumstances apply to your proposal: If you are requesting dedicated staff to make your event possible (traffic control, police, EMS, Public Works staff, etc.) or if you are requesting the exclusive use of city owned property during your event (city parks, pavilions, city facilities etc.).This would also include any city owned streets, sidewalks, bike paths or trails if it is anticipated that the proposed event may alter or negatively affect the natural flow of auto traffic, pedestrian travel or parking.

NOTE: We do NOT accept applications that are less than 30 days in advance.

Additional Fees May Apply depending on Event Level

Event Level 1:

100 or less in attendance (includes family reunions, birthday parties, etc).

• Park Pavilion rental needed only
• Please visit orem.org/parks, email speck@orem.gov or call 801-229-7123
• Event Fee: $700 (Includes 1 Seasonal Park Staff Cost)
• Number of vendors 5 (including food trucks)

Event Level 2:

200 or less in attendance (include participants, bystanders, staff, volunteers and others).

• Application Opens: March 1st
• Application Due Date: 30 days before the event
• Event Fee: $700 (Includes 1 Seasonal Park Staff Cost)
• Number of vendors 5 (including food trucks)

Event Level 3:

200 - 1,000 in attendance (include participants, bystanders, staff, volunteers and others).

• Application Opens: March 1st
• Application Due Date: 30 days before the event
• Insurance Required
• Event Fee: $1500 (Includes 1 Full Time Park Staff Cost)
• Number of vendors 8 (including food trucks)

Event Level 4:

1,000 or more in attendance (includes participants, bystanders, staff, volunteers and others), as well as staff determination of size and scope of requested and/or required City resources.

• Application Opens: March 1st
• Application Due Date:  30 days before the event  
• Mass Gathering Permit, Insurance Required
• Event Fee: $2000 (additional cost apply for mass gathering depending on hours of use. Must apply for Mass Gathering Permit through Utah County). 
• Number of vendors 10 (including food trucks)

• Full-time Parks Crew Member (1 for every 500 attendees)
• Police Officers (as needed according to attendance)
• Additional park fees may apply according to additional park needs

Park Staff are required to be onsite during the event time. 

Each Host will have to fill out the 2025 City Property Usage Event Host Agreement. This will be a document that is an agreement for the Host to go over and addresses vendor requirements for the event.

Agreement will be send once application has been approved. You are required to give them to Recreation Department 30 days prior to your application approval. 

Selling is only permitted if the following is fulfuilled:

• Maximum of vendors ranges from 5-10 vendors (food trucks includes)
• All vendors must have proof of proper licensing, prove sales taxes with county

*Please note: You are not permitted to have a paid attendee event on City Property (e.g ticketed events)

INSURANCE

For all large scale events involving city support in traffic control, setup, cleanup, use of city equipment, etc., and/or that has more than 300 participants, as determined by staff, must have Liability insurance with a minimum $2 million dollar per occurrence with a $2 million dollar aggregate limit naming The City of Orem City, its officers, employees, and volunteers as additional insured’s, plus additional coverage and endorsements depending on the nature of the event. Proof of coverage must be submitted prior to the issuance of a special event permit. The certificate must also state that coverage will not be canceled without 10 days prior written notice to the city.

TEMPORARY MASS GATHERING PERMIT

Some special events also require a Temporary Mass Gathering Permit obtained through the Utah County Health Department.

A Temporary Mass Gathering Permit is required of any event that:

(1) will have 1,000 or more attendees at one location (public or private) for

(2) 2 or more hours, and

(3) is located at a facility that was not constructed for that heavy of use. (You can typically tell this if it is necessary to bring in portable toilets, garbage cans, or parking services for the event.) (See Utah Administrative Code R392-400).

We recomend that you contact Utah County Healht Department 30 days prior to your event in order to determine if you are required to obtain the Mass Gathering Permit.  Call 801-851-7525 or visit www.utahcounty.gov to learn more.

DEPOSIT

All events will be permitted to pay a deposit (in the case of cancellation) prior to their event.  Deposits are refundable 30 days prior to the event date. After 30 days, the deposit is non-refundable. Events that follow all rules, regulations and protocols will have the deposit go towards the final cost of the event.

CANCELLATIONS

All events will be permitted to pay in full 2 weeks prior to the event. If we do not recieve payment by that time, the Recreation Department will forfeit the request all together. 

If the Host cancels the event 30 days prior to the event, after paying the full amount, the full amount (minus the deposit) will be refunded back to them.

If the Host cancels the event 0-29 days prior to the event, and has paid in full, there will be no refund for the Host.

Events that follow all rules, regulations and protocols will have the deposit go towards the final cost of the event.

CITY SERVICE FEES

All Permit Fees and City Service Fees are due before issuance of the event permit from the City at least 15 days before the event. If an event requires use of a City Park, the event is required to pay all pavilion rental fees. This fee schedule is not exhaustive as other costs could be incurred not included in this fee schedule. Orem City reserves the right to cancel and shut down events taking place on city owned property if the permit requirements are not upheld and issued within the time frame. 

PARKS

POLICE

Please note: The number of Police Officers for races and parades are determined separately by police department rep., based on traffic flow and other factors. 

FIRE

Note: Other EMS providers will need to be certified with the Orem Fire Department prior to event to ensure provider meets State Requirements. Most of the time fire doesn’t need to be on site.

CITY EVENTS COORDINATOR

DAMAGE/DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Any damage or destruction of public property as a result of the event will be the responsibility of the permit holder. In consideration for using a city facility, the applicant must sign a license agreement and/or indemnification agreement provided by the city. Permit fees are conditional on the information provided by the applicant. If more city resources are needed the day of the event, applicant is responsible to pay the city any and all additional fees that are accrued. All park rules and regulations must be followed.

PARK RULES & REGULATIONS

1. Minors should have appropriate adult supervision

2. Park hours are 6:00 am- 10:00 pm (All park reservations end at 9:00 pm to allow you time to clean up your event before the park closes, unless approved otherwise). Quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 6:00am. No events will be permitted during quiet hours. 

3. No littering or vandalism. (You are responsible to make sure all of the garbage from your event is placed in the proper waste disposal receptacles.)

4. No Solicitation

5. Use of facilities, amenities and equipment is done so at your own risk. Use with Caution.

6. Only approved vendors (food vendors, food trucks) are permitted on approved areas. Failure to comply will terminate events with your organization in the future. 

7. No smoking, alcohol, fireworks, golf or archery.

8. No bounce houses, inflatables, or water slides.

9. Keep dogs on a leash and clean up after dogs.

10. Report any criminal activities or vandalism to Orem City Police

11. Parks available for pavilion rental are found on orem.org/parks

CITY APPROVAL

The City of Orem will review each application and accept approval based on availability and nature of the event. The City of Orem is permitted to adjust requirement payments as needed per event. Applicant will receive updates prior to final approval.