Cardiff Bylaw: Charitable Event Fee Exemptions

Events and Special Uses Wales 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Wales

Cardiff, Wales organisers running charitable events on council land must follow Cardiff Council rules for permits, licences and any fee exemptions. This guide summarises where to find official application pages, what exemptions are commonly considered, how enforcement works and the practical steps to apply, appeal or report non-compliance. Use the council contacts and forms linked below to start an application and to confirm fees or concessions for your specific event.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Cardiff Council enforces permit and licence conditions for events on council land through its events and licensing teams and, where applicable, environmental health or highways officers. Specific fine amounts for unpaid fees or unauthorised use are not stated on the cited council guidance and therefore are "not specified on the cited page"; enforcement commonly uses notices and removal orders rather than set fixed fines on the publicly available event guidance.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: the council may issue warnings, require rectification, and, for continuing breaches, take stronger enforcement action; specific step amounts or ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal from site, orders to cease activity, seizure of temporary structures, and prosecutions where statutory offences apply.
  • Enforcer and inspections: Events, Parks and Licensing teams coordinate inspections; complaints and enforcement matters are handled via official council contacts below.
  • Appeals and reviews: the council’s decision notices or enforcement letters set the review or appeal route; time limits for appeal are not specified on the cited guidance and should be checked on the decision notice or by contacting the relevant department.
If you are unsure whether a concession applies, contact the council events team before public advertising.

Applications & Forms

Applications for events on council land normally require an application to the Parks/Events team plus any required licences (e.g., street trading, alcohol, road closures). The council web pages list how to apply but do not publish a single consolidated fee-exemption form on the guidance page cited here; the available forms and fees should be confirmed with the events or licensing officer.[2]

  • Event application form: name/number - not specified on the cited page; submit via the council events pages or by contacting the Parks Events team.
  • Deadlines: vary by event type and required licences; submit applications well ahead of the event (minimum lead times are not specified on the cited page).
  • Fees and exemptions: the guidance explains that concessions may be available for charities, but specific fee schedules or exemption criteria are not published on the cited guidance.
Always request written confirmation of any fee exemption before promoting the event.

Common Violations

  • Holding events on council land without an approved permit or licence.
  • Failure to secure required licences for alcohol, public entertainment or street trading.
  • Unauthorised structures, staging or obstructing public highways.
  • Inadequate safety, stewarding, or waste-management arrangements as required by the permit.

FAQ

Do charities automatically get fee exemptions?
Not automatically; charities should apply for events and request a concession—fee exemption criteria and any documentation requirements should be confirmed with the council events team.
How long before an event should I apply?
Lead times vary by event type and licences needed; apply as early as possible and check specific deadlines with the council events or licensing officer.
Who inspects my event for compliance?
Inspections may be carried out by events officers, environmental health, licensing officers or highways inspectors depending on the permissions required.

How-To

  1. Identify the site and permissions needed (parks/events permit, licences for alcohol, entertainment, street trading, or road closures).
  2. Contact the council events or licensing team early to confirm required forms, fees and any charity concession policy.
  3. Complete and submit the event application and any licence applications with risk assessments, stewarding plans and proof of charity status if claiming exemption.
  4. Pay any fees until your exemption is formally granted; obtain written confirmation of any concession to avoid enforcement action.
  5. If refused or penalised, use the review or appeal route noted on the council decision notice and request timelines in writing.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact Cardiff Council events/licensing early to confirm whether your charity qualifies for an exemption.
  • Keep written confirmation of any fee concession and of submitted applications.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Cardiff Council - Events on council land
  2. [2] Cardiff Council - Licensing

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