Special Permits

Please be advised due to construction maintenance scheduled for downtown this summer, no additional specialized event applications will be processed for within the Central Business District during June and July. More specific information will be provided as it is available.  

The Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement issues a number of special permits for events, mobile carts and businesses, sidewalk dining and other permits. View some of the various permits along with further information.

Not sure which permit is right for you? Check out this list: Types of Special Permits

To see what events are already on the schedule for street closings, see the Street Closings Due to Special Events page. For assistance or information regarding the availability of date(s) and Permit Applications, please email Hannah Hernandez or call her at 336-734-1251.

To submit documents via your iPhone: How to Scan and Submit your documents

Special Events

Street Closure Barricade Request Form

A permit is required for an event such as a festival, parade, or run/walk held in the public right of way or property owned or maintained by the City of Winston-Salem. (Please contact Hannah Hernandez for additional forms that may be needed for your event, i.e. Barricade Form, Right of Way Form, Alcohol Agreement Form, Bouncy House, etc).

Sidewalk Dining

A permit is required for a restaurant or bar to operate a dining area that extends onto the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway within the central business district (CB) or pedestrian business (PB) zoning districts.

Temporary Sidewalk Dining Permits issued during COVID are no longer valid. 

Pushcart / Mobile Food Unit

A permit is required to operate a pushcart, which is any rubber-wheeled vehicle or portable cart, used for displaying, keeping or storing any articles by a vendor or peddler which may be moved without the assistance of a motor. Products may be sold such as:

  • Drink
  • Flowers
  • Fruit
  • Merchandise
  • Prepared food

Mobile Food Unit

A permit is required to operate a vehicle, other than a pushcart, from which is vended prepared food, drink, and fresh fruit.

Foot Peddler

A permit is required to sell non-food items on foot without a pushcart or motor vehicle on public non-restricted property within the City of Winston Salem.

Street Performers / Busker

A permit is required for performances on public property within the City of Winston-Salem. A performance is an audible or visual entertainment such as, but not limited to:

  • Acting
  • Dancing
  • Miming
  • Pantomiming
  • Performing a theatrical or literary work
  • Playing a musical instrument
  • Reciting or singing

Open Air

A permit is required to hold public air meetings on a public street, sidewalk, alley or mall within the City of Winston-Salem.

Pyrotechnics (Fireworks)

A permit is required for the exhibition, use or discharge of fireworks within the City of Winston-Salem.

Amplification / Sound

Note: Contact Hannah Hernandez prior to completing an Amplification/Sound Permit.

A Sound Amplification permit is required to utilize sound amplification on a public street, sidewalk, alley or mall within the City of Winston-Salem.

Contact

To learn more about Specialized Permits, please email Hannah Hernandez or call her at 336-734-1251.