Special events

In 2019, Milton Council endorsed an Events Framework to classify events and associated supports. The Events Framework defines a special event in Milton based on the criteria in the sections below.

Events on public property
An event taking place on public property; such as in Town facilities, parks and roadways, where one or more of the following criteria is present:
  • Open to the general public, with or without, an admission fee
  • Advertised through newspaper, website, social media or site signage
  • Includes a Letter of Municipal Significance (serving alcohol)
  • Requires a building permit for tents, stages or other structures
  • Could potentially involve a number of attendees that could not be managed on a roadway, facility/park without special measures in place
  • Has the potential to strain the emergency services response
  • Will have a foreseeable impact on the regular flow of traffic
  • May adversely affect the Town of Milton community
  • Requires the approval of a regulatory agency, e.g. Town, AGCO, Halton Region Health Department, which is outside the scope of typical operations

Events on private property

An event taking place on private property if one or more of the following criteria is present:

  • Has the potential to strain the community’s emergency services response
  • Will have a foreseeable impact on the regular flow of traffic
  • May adversely affect the Town of Milton community
  • Requires the approval of a regulatory agency, e.g. Town, AGCO, Halton Region Health Department, which is outside the scope of typical operations

Events on public and private property

An event to be held on private and public property (e.g. Town facilities, parks and roadways) as described in the sections above.

Planning manual

The Special Events Planning Manual has been prepared to support you in identifying and navigating the municipal, regional, provincial, and federal guidelines in place to deliver a safe and successful event. As an organizer, you are encouraged to review the planning manual in its entirety.

Review the Special Events Planning Manual

Event applications

Depending on the size of your event, it may need Council and/or committee approval. Please submit your event application according to the deadlines listed below:

Submission deadlines
Event date Submission deadline Committee meeting*
January to April 2023 First Friday of November 2022 Third week of November
May to August 2023 First Friday of March 2023 Third week of March
September to December 2023 First Friday of July 2023 Third week of July

*Committee meetings are subject to change.

Please use our event application form to help ensure that your next event is compliant and safe for everyone. Please ensure your event space (both Town of Milton or other private property) is tentatively booked prior to completing the event application form. Town of Milton space reservations must be made through the Facility Booking office.

Event Application Form

After we receive your application, we will contact you to go over the next steps, assess insurance requirements and indicate which permits and licenses apply.

Event requirements

We will guide you through all municipal, regional, provincial and federal requirements.

Building permits 
You’ll need to apply for building permit for the setup of any tents, bleachers and stages. Please note that we need at least four weeks to review building permits. 

Facility rentals

Learn how to rent a facility and understand our space allocation guidelines and policies. 

Filming
You must apply for a filming permit if you’d like to use a Milton property for an approved filming project. Make sure that you submit your application at least seven business days before you start filming. 

Fireworks
If you’re using or selling fireworks, you’ll need to apply for a fireworks permit. Please note that we require at least four weeks for review and approval. 

Insurance
We assess insurance requirements through the event application form. We’ll determine your proposed event’s potential risks and recommend ways to eliminate or control those risks. 

Lottery license
If you’re running or managing a lottery or a game of chance for charitable or religious purposes at your event, you’ll need to apply for a lottery license. 

Municipal licenses and permits

We regulate licensing for health and safety, noise, nuisance control and consumer protection. We assess the required permits and licenses through the event application form including:

Road closures

You can request road closures as part of the online Event Application form. You can also request a road closure for a street party. Road closures may require the use of barricades, jersey barriers or large blockades for vehicle mitigation.

Signs
Signage is limited to private property. You can request to use signage on a Milton road allowance when you complete our online event application form. You can also rent exterior and digital signage at a Milton facility.

Weddings
If you are planning a backyard wedding, please continue to check for updates to provincial and regional restrictions as your selected event date approaches. If your wedding does not require a permit for a tent, noise exemption or road closure permit, it is not necessary to complete a special event application form.

Health and safety requirements

Depending on your event, you may need to meet health and safety authority requirements.

Alcohol
Selling or serving alcohol at your event? Make sure to apply for Special Occasion Permit from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Please note that the AGCO requires at least eight weeks to review your request. 

Electrical equipment and generators
Larger events that include electrical equipment and generators need an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) electrical permit and an inspection. Please note that you must apply for an ESA permit at least six weeks before your event. 

Food and waste
If foods are prepared, sold or distributed at your event, you’ll need to apply for approval from the Halton Public Health Department. Halton Region also provides waste collection support for community events. 

Niagara escarpment
You can use Niagara Escarpment Commission's interactive map to find out if your event is on property that’s regulated. You may need to apply for a development permit. 

Paramedic services
Halton Region's Paramedic Services can provide emergency medical services for events in our community. Please note that they need at least eight weeks to review and approve your request. 

Police services
You can book a pay duty officer from Halton Regional Police Service to have them help and supervise your event. Please note that they need at least eight weeks to review your request. 

Additional event planning resources