The East Hampton Town Board, acting on recommendations from the town’s special events committee, voted to update fees for special events, which have not changed since 2018, at its meeting last Thursday.
In prior years, there was a single application for one of six types of special event permits. There are now six separate applications, depending on the type of event planned and where it will be held: for events on residential properties, commercial properties, or public properties, for parades or walk-run events, for art sales, and for seasonal recreational activities on public property. The latter category includes things like surf or paddleboard instruction, yoga classes, and the installation of hotel equipment such as chairs and umbrellas on a town beach.
The special events committee meets weekly to review applications. Copies of approved permits are sent to the Police Department, Marine Patrol, the Ordinance Enforcement Department, and the fire marshal to ensure that events are in compliance.
Of 537 permits issued last year, 239 were public permits, 167 were commercial, 132 were residential, 24 were parade, walk-run, or ride, and four were for art sales, which are issued for commercial sale of artwork by the artist on their residential property. Nine applications were denied, nine others were deemed incomplete, and six events for which permits were issued were canceled due to weather.
Discounting 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic prevented most mass gatherings, special event permits have averaged 548 per year since 2018.
In the new fee schedule, residential special event permits for 50 to 149 attendees are free to residents; for events of 150 to 249 people, the fee is $250, and for 250 or more attendees the fee is $500. There is no application fee. For nonresidents, there is an application fee of $100. For events of 50 to 149 attendees, the permit fee is $250. For 150 to 249 people it is $500, and for 250 or more attendees it is $750.
For commercial special events on commercial property, the application fee is $100, and the permit fee is $200. A traffic control fee will be calculated by the town.
For social events held on public property, there is no application fee for residents and no permit fee for events of fewer than 50 attendees. For 50 to 99 attendees, the permit fee is $50; for 100 to 249, $100; for 250 to 999, $250, and for 1,000 or more, the fee is $500. For nonresidents, a nonrefundable application fee of $100 will be assessed. The permit fee for events of fewer than 50 people is $100; for 50 to 99, $250; for 100 to 249 it is $500, for 250 to 999 it is $750, and for 1,000 or more people, the fee is $1,000. For residents and nonresidents alike, a $100 fee will be added for commercial vendors such as caterers or entertainment. A traffic control fee also applies for both residents and nonresidents.
The permit fee for commercial caterers on town beaches is $150 for up to 50 attendees.
Commercial special events on public property require a nonrefundable $100 application fee, and per-day permit fees of $100 for 1 to 49 attendees; $250 for 50 to 99, $500 for 100 to 249, $1,000 for 250 to 999, $2,500 for 1,000 to 2,499, and $5,000 for 2,500 or more. A traffic control fee applies.
A nonrefundable $100 application fee also applies to daily commercial recreational activity events on public property. The permit fee for use of town properties on the ocean beach is $200 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. For use of town properties on the bay, the resident fee is $150 and the nonresident fee $200. For use of town parks and public properties, the resident fee is $100 and the nonresident fee $150. In this category, “resident” includes commercial businesses located in the town.
For seasonal commercial recreational events on public property, residents will be assessed a $4,000 fee for seasonal use of town properties on the ocean; for nonresidents the fee is $10,000. For use of town properties on the bay or in town parks and public properties, the fee is $2,000 for residents and $6,000 for nonresidents. A nonrefundable $100 application fee also applies.
For parade, walk-run, and ride special events, the permit fee is $100 for up to 49 attendees; for 50 to 99 the fee is $250, for 100 to 249 the fee is $500, for 250 to 999 the fee is $1,000, for 1,000 to 2,499 the fee is $2,500, and for 2,500 or more it is $5,000. The nonrefundable $100 application fee and a traffic control fee apply.
There is no application or permit fee for art sale special events.
Applications are to be submitted at least 21 days before the event for those involving 1 to 75 participants; 30 days prior for 76 to 150 people; 48 days prior for 151 to 250 participants, and 60 days prior for events with 250 or more participants. There are also late application fees ranging from $100 to $2,500 which are tiered for the number of participants, and a $50 rush fee for applications submitted within one week of the event.
