Municipality Arnhem: Applying for an event licence

We apply a number of general preconditions that apply to all events and locations. These include rules in the areas of noise, public space, waste and city cleaning, greenery and ecology, cultural history, traffic and (fire) safety. To limit inconvenience to local residents and the burden on the environment, we have established specific location requirements for 18 event locations. More information can be found in the location rules as laid down in the decree Vaststellen locatieprofielen voor terreinen waar evenementen plaatsvinden (‘Establishing location profiles for event sites’).

New rules were adopted on July 7, 2022. These rules can be found in the;’Nota locatiegebonden evenementenbeleid Arnhem 2021’. This contains information on, among other things, the Event Calendar and its consideration framework, the various event category classifications, start and end times and noise standards. New location profiles are also still being worked on. We have places in Arnhem that have been used as event locations for many years. For these and some new event locations in 2022 and 2023 so-called location profiles will be drawn up. The purpose of a location profile is to provide clarity about the possibilities of using the location in question for events and the conditions under which it can be used. For existing event locations, the location rules apply as laid down in the decree Vaststellen locatieprofielen voor terreinen waar evenementen plaatsvinden (‘Establishing location profiles for event sites’).

Releasing balloons

In Arnhem we actively discourage balloon launching during events. This means that we include as a regulation in an event permit that it is not allowed to release balloons or hand out balloons to visitors during events. At events (co)organized or supported by the municipality, no balloons will be handed out and no balloons will be released. When balloons are used by residents or associations, a biodegradable variety is preferred.

These regulations are included in the event permit for the following reasons:

• Released balloons can end up in the environment, where they cause pollution.
• Balloons can end up in the water, where they pose a threat to aquatic animals that become entangled in the strings attached to the balloons.
• Arnhem profiles itself as a sustainable and green city, and discouraging environmental pollution from balloons fits in with this.

Animals at events

When using animals at events, organizers will have to comply with welfare requirements. Brambell’s 5 freedoms are used as a pillar for this. Animals are free from:

• Thirst, hunger and improper nutrition
• physical and physiological discomfort
• pain, injuries and illnesses
• anxiety and chronic stress
• To exhibit their natural (species-specific) behavior.

Check the event permit application checklist (pdf, 340kB) to see which documents you must submit.

Before submitting an application, carefully read through the checklist. This is because at the end of the application form, you must add attachments. This information will be submitted to the police, fire department and municipal advisors. Without additional information, we cannot process your application.

You can apply for a permit by means of the online application form.

You always pay part of the costs for a permit application, even if the municipality of Arnhem refuses your application. How much you have to pay depends on the size of the event and whether or not you get the permit.

The costs for a permit

• If you get the permit, you pay 100% of the costs.
• If you do not get the permit, you will pay 50% of the above costs.
• If you withdraw the permit application before a decision is made, you will pay 25% of the costs.

In principle, the processing of your application takes a maximum of 8 weeks. How long it takes depends, among other things, on the size of the event and the completeness of your submitted data.