A division of the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, the Office of Special Events is a one-stop shop designed to assist event organizers with the planning and coordination of events that occur on public property. In general, any organized activity involving the use of, or having impact upon public property, public facilities, parks, sidewalks or streets within the city limits, requires a special event permit issued by the Office of Special Events.

Apart from Special Events, this office also coordinates:

• Building Rentals (Ragan Center & Seminole Garden Center)  All other Community Centers are rented through on-site staff.  Phone: (813) 274-8518.

• Food vending in select Parks (currently, only Desoto Park has an available vending location) and there are no spaces available on the Franklin Street Mall.  Phone: (813) 274-8518

• Picnic Shelter Rentals.  Phone: (813) 274-8184.

New Special Event Rates, Procedures and Applications:

• Important Phone Numbers for Event Planners

• Knowing What Application Forms To Complete

• Online Document Index

• Shelter Fee Schedule

• Special Event Fee Schedule

• The Special Event Process

All our new forms are in Adobe PDF format, designed to be completed and saved to your computer whether or not you have Adobe Professional or simply an Adobe Reader program. This should simplify the life of any event promoter who does events annually, as you can now keep a completed copy of your own application form in a format you can use again and again.

The office is located in the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department building at 3402 W. Columbus Dr. The hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 P.M.