Special Event Permitting Process

The City of Killeen’s Special Event Permitting Process helps ensure community events are planned safely, responsibly, and with minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and City services.

Whether you’re hosting a small neighborhood gathering or a large community celebration, this page provides an overview of what qualifies as a special event, how events are classified, and what to expect throughout the permitting process.

What Is a Special Event?

A special event is a temporary gathering or organized activity that may impact public spaces, streets, city facilities or services.

Special events can include, but are not limited to:

Block parties and neighborhood gatherings
Festivals and markets
Runs, walks, and races
Concerts and community celebrations

When Will I Need a Permit?

You will need a special event permit if your event is a temporary gathering or organized activity that may impact public spaces, city property, streets, or services.

In general, a permit is required when an event involves one or more of the following factors:

Anticipated attendance beyond a small private gathering (100 or more people)
Road, sidewalk, or parking lot closures
Use of City-owned property or facilities
Public safety needs, including police, fire, or emergency services
Alcohol service
Extended event duration or multi-day activities

Event Tiers and Deadlines

To help ensure public safety and minimize disruptions, the City of Killeen classifies special events into tiers based on event size, location, and operational impact. Below is an overview of each event tier, including typical examples and application deadlines.

Tier	Event Size	Example	Application Deadline
1	Up to 100 people	Block Parties Homeowners Association Events Small neighborhood gatherings	21 Days prior to event
2	101-500 people	Small Festivals Single day events Events held on private property open to the public Events located in parking lots	30 Days prior to event
3	501-1,000	Larger single-day community events Events requiring public safety support	60 Days prior to event
4	1,000+ people	Major or large festivals Multi-day events	90 Days prior to event

*Recurring Events are classified in a separate tier. They are a series of similar events, such as markets or seasonal gatherings, where attendance exceeds 100 people. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the first event.

Additional Considerations

Some events require extra planning or coordination with the city. This typically applies to events that include:

Road or intersection closures
Public safety personnel or vehicles
Alcohol service
Requests for a noise waiver
Events with past operational or safety challenges

In these cases, the city may take a closer look to ensure the event can be held safely and smoothly. An event may also be reclassified to a higher tier if public safety needs, event history, or resource impacts indicate additional requirements are appropriate.

If an event requires additional city resources, the applicant will be notified in advance. Any associated costs will be calculated using the City’s adopted fee schedule and must be paid before a permit is issued.

Apply

Use the online application form to apply for a special event permit. (This form will be available October 1, 2026)

Resources

For additional information, please review the resources below:

Special Events Guide (PDF)

Help Us Improve the Process

The City of Killeen values feedback from event organizers. If you have participated in the special event permitting process, we invite you to share your experience and suggestions for improvement.
Share Your Feedback