Event Permit Applications - London Bylaws

Events and Special Uses England 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

Planning an event in London, England requires navigating local permitting, licensing and public-safety rules. This guide explains who issues permits, which applications apply for parks and temporary licensable activities, how to notify police and the licensing authority, and practical next steps to secure permission and manage compliance for public gatherings across London.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by the local licensing authority (your borough council), the police and park authorities for events on managed land. Exact monetary fines and fixed-penalty figures are not consistently published on the cited pages; where a specific amount is not shown below it is "not specified on the cited page". For contact and to report non-compliance, use the official local-council finder link below to reach your borough licensing team and enforcement officers.Find your local council[3]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for general event breaches; see the licensing authority for borough-specific penalties.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures and ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to stop the event, revocation of permission, seizure of equipment and court prosecution may be used where authorised by the licensing authority or police; specific measures are set by the enforcing body and are not fully listed on the cited pages.
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: contact your local council licensing team or the police public order/events unit to report safety or licensing breaches.Temporary Event Notice guidance[1]
  • Appeals and review: formal appeals processes and time limits depend on the specific licence or decision and are not specified on the cited pages; contact the issuing authority for directions.
Contact your borough licensing office early to learn local penalties and appeal steps.

Applications & Forms

Different permissions apply depending on location and activity. For small licensable activities or temporary licensable events you may need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN); for events in Royal Parks you must apply to Royal Parks through their events hire process. Official application pages are linked below.

  • Temporary Event Notice (TEN): see the official guidance for who to notify and how notices interact with police and the licensing authority.Temporary Event Notice guidance[1]
  • Royal Parks events: applications, permit types and contacts for events on Royal Parks land are available from Royal Parks' event hire pages.Royal Parks event hire[2]
  • Fees: borough and park fees vary; specific fees are set by the issuing body or venue and are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Deadlines: submit notices and permit applications as early as practical; statutory notice periods (where they apply) and local processing times are set by the authority handling the application and are not specified on the cited pages.
Apply early; some authorities require a minimum notice period for adequate safety planning.

Common Violations

  • Holding an event without required notice or licence.
  • Exceeding capacity limits for a TEN or venue.
  • Failure to meet safety, stewarding or noise conditions imposed in a permit.
  • Unauthorised use of public highways, parks or restricted spaces without a permit.

Applications & Practical Steps

Follow these practical steps to apply and reduce the chance of refusal or enforcement action.

  • Plan early: identify venue, expected attendance, and licensable activities.
  • Determine required permissions: TEN for temporary licensable activities; venue-specific permits for parks or private land.
  • Contact the licensing team and police for pre-application advice.
  • Budget for permit fees, safety measures and potential road-closure or stewarding costs.
If your event uses streets or the highway, check with Transport for London or the borough highways team early.

FAQ

How long in advance should I apply for an event permit in London?
Apply as early as possible; statutory notice periods and processing times vary by authority, so contact your local council for exact deadlines.
Do I always need a Temporary Event Notice?
Not always; a TEN applies where licensable activities are temporary and meet the TEN criteria, but venue licences or park permits may be needed for other events.
Where can I find the official application forms and contacts?
Official application guidance and park-specific event hire pages are available from government and the landowner; see the resources below for direct links.

How-To

  1. Identify the event type, location and activities that may be licensable (alcohol, live music, late-night entertainment).
  2. Check whether a TEN, a venue licence variation, or a landowner permit (for parks) is required.
  3. Contact the local licensing authority and police for pre-application advice and to confirm forms and deadlines.[3]
  4. Complete required application forms and submit supporting documents (site plan, stewarding plan, risk assessment, insurance).
  5. Pay fees and follow any conditions set by the authority; keep records and be ready to implement safety measures on the day.

Key Takeaways

  • Start early and confirm required permits with your local council and police.
  • Use official application routes for Temporary Event Notices and venue or park permits.
  • Keep clear records and contact details for enforcement and appeals.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] GOV.UK - Temporary Event Notice guidance
  2. [2] Royal Parks - Hire a Royal Park for an event
  3. [3] GOV.UK - Find your local council

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