Use of Town Mall and Special Events Information

The use of the Brunswick Town Mall is limited to nonprofit organizations' events, as well as five food truck pads, which may only be used by council-approved food vendors and the Brunswick Farmer's Market.

Please note, the Town Mall or other town-controlled properties may not be reserved for private parties, such as weddings. You may still use the space for a private event; however, you may not set up furniture, use stereo equipment, or ask people to move from the gazebo or green spaces.

What is a Special Event?

A “Special Event” is any event for which attendance is reasonably anticipated to gather a large number of people which includes:

• Utilizes or seeks to reserve any town-controlled property, including but not limited to the Town Mall (both upper and lower), streets, sidewalks, parks, parking areas or buildings.
• An event held on private property which is reasonably likely to require an increased level of Town services such as emergency response calls for service, trash removal, traffic control, or crowd control.

Examples of Special Events include:

• Road Race
• Parade
• Public Concert
• Political Gatherings
• Community Events
• Placing an informational table on the Town Mall
• A large gathering on private property which has an unusual number of cars parked on a public street.

Additional Requirements:

• Use of facilities controlled by the Brunswick Parks & Recreation Department requires additional approval, as they are heavily scheduled. Please see the Parks & Recreation page for an application.
• Depending on the nature of the event, liability insurance may be required. 
• If your event requires any parking, sidewalks, or roads to be partially or fully blocked, you may need to apply for an obstruction permit. Please see the Engineering page for more information.

When should I apply for my Special Event Permit?

Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the event. If you anticipate that the event will attract more than 300 attendees, please submit your application at least 60 days in advance. Additionally, unless your event is scheduled for the first few months of the year, we kindly request that you submit your Special Events application within the same calendar year.

What happens once I request my permit?

Your application will be automatically forwarded to all department heads, including those from the police and fire departments. Once the Town Clerk’s office has verified all required departments, you will receive an email notifying you of the decision regarding your event. This may include approval, approval with conditions, or denial.

If your event is approved with conditions, those conditions may involve implementing reasonable measures for traffic management, public safety, area preparation, or cleanup. Additionally, you may be required to take actions necessary to comply with Town policies or ordinances, or to prevent placing an undue burden on Town services. The approving authority may also require advance payment for costs the Town anticipates incurring as a result of the event, such as planning time, details for emergency services, rubbish removal, and more.

Denials can occur due to scheduling conflicts, space constraints, safety concerns, or if the event is for profit.

Exceptions: Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at clerks@brunswickme.gov or call (207) 725-6658.

What if I don’t get a permit?

If an individual or entity holds an event without having received a permit required under this Ordinance, or having complied with all conditions thereof, the individual or entity is subject to a penalty in the amount of $500 to $5,000 plus all actual costs incurred by the Town in responding to the event, repairing any damage caused by the event, and in prosecuting the violation (including attorney fees and cost of prosecution) or collecting any penalties.

If you have further questions, please contact Ali Burnette, Deputy Town Clerk at aburnette@brunswickme.gov.