Hosting an Event Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Vaughan has a variety of Rental Facilities. Check out the City Viewer to find a facility in your area.

Availability can be viewed at RecOnline; or For more information on availability call 905.832.8500 to speak with a Client Service Specialist in the Recreation Services Department; or email recccsd@vaughan.ca

Please fill out the form Special Event in a City Park or Facility Application and once completed forward to reccsd@vaughan.ca

• Special Event Facility Rental Application - Recreation Services: reccsd@vaughan.ca
• Special Event Permit – By-law & Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services: bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca

"Open to the public" means:

• If your event does not require access by a receipt of personal invitation to identify individuals; and
• If the number of invitations exceed the capacity of the venue; or
• If the event is advertised to the general public.

You would require a "Special Event Permit":

• If your event is advertised and open to the general public and takes place outdoors or in a City Facility;
• Open to the public and takes place in a private venue that is not a For-Purpose Venue; or
• An event that takes place Outdoors and in a private venue that is not a For-Purpose Venue.

For more information please contact: bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca

“For-Purpose Venue” means a premise for an event that:

• is licensed by the City, or otherwise permitted to operate;
• does not contravene the City’s Zoning By-law through the activities proposed for the event; and
• does not contravene any other City by-law through the activities proposed for the event.

Organizers are required to obtain a Special Event Permit (a minimum of 15 business days prior to event day) through bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca.

A Special Occasions Permit is required when an applicant requests to serve or sell alcohol for either private events or public events; please visit link for further application details: AGCO - Special Occasions Permits: Public & Private Event.

Please note in some cases, AGCO will request a Support Letter from the Municipality which can be obtained through the City Clerk’s Department.

The City of Vaughan supports and encourages events planned by volunteer groups through the Fairs & Festivals Support Program. Qualifying groups can apply to our Fairs & Festivals Support Program Application to receive further assistance.

• Facilities are allocated utilizing the Fair Play Facility Allocation Policy.
• The City uses last year’s facility allocation to form the basis for the upcoming year.
• New users must contact the department to be placed on a mailing list or can apply using the request form available online.

Applicants can apply to The Water Cooler Application to rent a water truck through Environmental Services:

Phone: 905-832-2281

Fax: 905-303-2005

Email: watercooler@vaughan.ca

Special Event Permit – By-law & Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services: bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca

Applicants with tents larger then 60 m2 (645 sqft.) or stages higher then 2ft. require a building permit. Please contact Building Standards Department at 905.832.8510.

The applicant is responsible for hiring all security and Police. Paid Duty Police officers must be booked via yrp.ca. All matters related to Security requirements are the responsibility of the applicant.

As an external organizer, you are responsible for planning and executing the vision for your event. City of Vaughan staff are here to help you navigate through the permit and application process to ensure all requirements for the municipality are met.

City of Vaughan staff will review all permit and application requests and provide approval for you to host a successful event in our community. Staff may visit your event to ensure that all requirements as you identified in your permit are maintained.