Events on Private Property

City ordinance requires a Letter of Determination to sell alcohol during a special/temporary event on private property within city limits. This letter will help you meet the city’s special event requirements and will ensure the safety of your guests and neighbors.

To receive this letter, you must:

• Fill out the request approval form to have an event with alcohol
• Pay the application fee - $275

Examples are only used as estimates and do not reflect final costs. 

To request a Letter of Determination, you will need to provide:

• a site plan
• evidence of the property owner's approval of the event
• a State of Florida Alcoholic Beverage License (ABL)

Note, the approval process may take up to two weeks. Please submit your requests at least 30 days before your event to ensure a timely response. 

Fill out the application

The city prohibits the selling of food or merchandise on city streets and sidewalks (Sec. 54.27). Exceptions are made for events with an 18A Permit. There are additional requirements for events with vending, food trucks and alcohol.

It is the responsibility of the event promoter to ensure the following:

• All vendors must have proof of a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) to operate any business within city limits.
• General liability insurance is required for all events.
  • The city needs to be included as an additional insured - City Hall address: 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
  • Minimum limit is $1,000,000
  • View an example Certificate of Liability Insurance(PDF, 200KB)
    (PDF, 200KB)
• Food trucks will require an inspection from the Fire Marshall. A separate fee is associated with this inspection. To get more information on the permit and cost, please email ofd_fls_special_events@orlando.gov. 

While food safety and initial business inspections may be conducted by other entities, the City of Orlando requires Fire Safety Inspections each time a food truck is in operation during an event or activity.

• A current BTR is on-site and available upon request
• Mobile or temporary cooking operations are separated from the entrances and other exits of buildings or structures, combustible materials, vehicles and other cooking operations by a clear space distance of 10 ft. (3 m)
• Mobile or temporary cooking operations are separated from other mobile or temporary cooking operations by a clear distance of 10 ft. (3 m)
• Maintenance of the fire-extinguishing systems and listed exhaust hoods have been conducted by properly trained, qualified and certified person(s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction within the past six months
• Hood exhaust systems shall be kept clean at all times
• All internal combustion engine power sources are positioned so that the exhaust complies with the following:
  • Located at least 12 ft (4 m) from openings, air intakes, and means of egress
  • In a position pointed away from any building
  • In a position pointed away from any mobile or temporary cooking operations
• Class K fire extinguishers have been provided for cooking appliance hazards that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable oils and animal oils and fats)
• Additional portable fire extinguishers are provided for other hazards in kitchen areas and selected, installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10