SPECIAL EVENT PERMITTING

The Department of General Services (DGS) provides special event permits for Capitol Square and other DGS-owned or controlled grounds at the seat of government. If you are interested in holding an event that is expected to draw 10 or more people at one of the locations listed below, you will need a permit issued by DGS. All permits are free and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Capitol Square events (Bell Tower permit area)

• Permit applications may be submitted up to 180 days before the planned event
• Generally, permit applications will be granted or denied within five business days
• Permit applications must be submitted six days in advance of the event, except for events that are expected to draw 1,000 or more people, when the application must be submitted 45 days in advance. Applications submitted in fewer than six days will be considered if certain stipulations are met, as outlined in the guidelines.
• Read the full Regulation Governing the Use of Capitol Square for additional information

Applications

Individuals or groups that would like to hold an event on Capitol Square should complete the following form:

Apply to hold an event on Capitol Square

Government agencies that would like to hold an event on Capitol Square should complete the following form:

Agency Application for Use of Capitol Square

Events on other DGS-controlled property

(Do not use for events within Capitol Square)

Pursuant to §4-5.11b of the 2021 Appropriation Act, "All property controlled by the Department of General Services shall require a permit for use by persons, organizations, or groups for events. Such events are eligible for a permit when the use will not interfere with or disrupt a function sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia government entity in support of an agency's mission.

Please read the guidelines for DGS-Controlled Property Event Permitting.

The guidelines include:

• The Rules for Use of Capitol Square and DGS Property apply, and all applicable laws must be followed
• Permits are required for events with 10 or more people
• Permitted events are allowed from sunrise to sunset, within the hours of 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
• Permitted events are limited to one hour, with 30 minutes for setup and take down
• One event will be permitted at a time
• Events in the Darden Garden area adjacent to the General Assembly Building in Richmond are to be managed and permitted by the Senate of Virginia and Virginia House of Delegates while the General Assembly is in regular session, as described in Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia.
• Events may not be in or within 25 feet of a any building or within 50 feet of any construction area; occur on any street, parking lot or parking structure; block any sidewalk; or be within 100 feet of any residence
• Permit applications may be submitted up to 180 days before the planned event
• Generally, permit applications will be granted or denied within five business days
• Permit applications must be submitted six days in advance of the event, except for events that are expected to draw 1,000 or more people, when the application must be submitted 45 days in advance. Applications submitted in fewer than six days will be considered if certain stipulations are met, as outlined in the regulations.

Apply to hold an event on DGS-controlled property

Filming

For more information on conducting film events on DGS property or to submit a request to film on DGS property, please contact bfmevents@dgs.virginia.gov or (804) 225-3874.