Event Permitting in Pittsburgh
The Office of Film and Event Management (OFEM) staff and this online application process will guide you through the planning and permitting requirements that need to be met to ensure a safe and successful event in the City of Pittsburgh. There are 3 types of permits that the Office of Film and Event Management issue: Special Event Permit:
The Special Event Application process has two phases:
- Reservation of Space - this is the first step of all Special Event Applications. This puts your event, date, location and high level details for review. Once it's been reviewed and approved, the Office of Film and Event Management will unlock Phase 2.
- Phase 2 - This is the second step of the Application. Paired with Reservation of Space (RoS), these complete the Special Event Application. Once the date, time and location are confirmed and approved in Reservation of Space, you can continue to plan your event. Once your plans are finalized and before the 14 business day deadline, you are required to finish filling out Phase 2 of the application. Once Phase 2 is submitted, the members of the Special Events Committee will review the application for final approval. Once Phase 2 / Special Event Application is approved by the relevant members of the committee, the Office of Film and Event Management will issue the permit for the event to be held.
Our Getting Started Document provides important information about the permitting process, the different types of permits and pricing matrices. Please review the OFEM Getting Started Document in the Important Information and Documents section to the right for more information.
Block Party Permit:
A Block Party Permit is for a resident to close off their street to have an event to bring together friends and neighbors for a social gathering. The Permit costs $25, this includes barricades to close off the street. Applications must be submitted at least seven (7) business days in advance of the date of the party to allow for coordination of City Services. A Block Party can only take place on weekends, Federal Holidays and on Halloween. All block parties must take place between 10:00am and 10:00pm. Please review the full list of Block Party Policies to in the Important Information and Documents section to the right.
Filming Permit:
The City of Pittsburgh Office of Film & Event Management is the managing office for all commercial film projects within the City of Pittsburgh. Please allow ample time for application review, especially if significant City resources are required for your shoot to be successful. Applications must be received at least seven (7) business days before your first shoot date. Location managers and film producers can apply for the following permits through Eproval: Permits for the parking of production trucks for shoots on private property; Low-impact shoots that occur on City of Pittsburgh property; High-impact shoots that occur on City of Pittsburgh property and require the coordination of City services or assets; Permits for commercial still photography shoots on City of Pittsburgh property; Permits for the utilization of drones for filming purposes. Please review the Getting Started Filming Document to the Right for more information!
To submit an application with the Office of Film and Event Management, you will need to have an account with us. If you don't have an account,
create one now.