Special Events

Apply to be a Special Event SPONSOR

Apply to be a Special Event VENDOR

On August 6, 2024, the Dothan City Commission approved revisions to the Special Events Ordinance with Ordinance 2024-197.  This revision will assist the public with the process of obtaining a license for special events occurring within the city limits of Dothan.

Below are some highlights of the ordinance.

Special Event is defined as an occasion intended to attract a large number of people whether held on public or private property, and includes events that have an admission fee or free admittance to the general public, including but not limited to festivals, animal shows, contests, races, entertainment shows, art shows, antique shows, craft shows, coin shows, trade shows or other shows of a similar kind or description that occur for a period of ten days or less.

Special Event Sponsor is defined as an individual or organization who is the organizer, operator, manager, facilitator or otherwise party responsible for conducting the event.  Sponsors shall be subject to a license tax.  

Special Event Vendor is defined as an individual who is a sole proprietor or employee of a registered business in the City of Dothan selling, offering for sale or agreeing to manufacture or fabricate an item for sale with the responsibility for remitting taxes on items sold at an event.  Vendors shall be subject to al license tax as stipulated in this chapter. 

Each event must have an event sponsor. The event sponsor must complete a Special Event Sponsor application for each event and obtain a special event sponsor license. They must ensure that the event complies with all municipal requirements as outlined in the ordinance. A special event license is $100.00 per event.  The event sponsor must provide a list to the Business License office of all vendors participating in the event at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the first day of the event. Vendors not initially listed by the event sponsor may be added prior to the event, subject to other requirements listed in Sec. 18-256. 

Each vendor participating in the event must complete a Special Event Vendor application and obtain a special event vendor license. Vendors must display either their City of Dothan business license or special event vendor license at the event. The fee for a vendor license is $50.00 and can be renewed annually. Vendors may elect to purchase a direct sales business license for a full-year if they are participating in more than special events.  Businesses with a valid City of Dothan business license for the current year will not be required to pay the $50.00 annual vendor license fee. Event vendors are required to remit sales tax returns.

The following shall be required to obtain a City of Dothan business license and will not be considered a special event or special event vendor.

  • Traveling carnivals or enterprises such as carnivals and circuses.
  • Any business required to have a state or federal certification to operate legally, to include any business which requires a food permit from the Department of Public Health.

For more information, contact Business Licensing at 334-615-3166.