Planning an event on Edmonton roads or sidewalks? Learn about Roadway Licence requirements, application details, service coordination, and considerations like traffic control, transit changes, and community notification.
When is a Roadway Licence required for an event?
A Roadway Licence is required any time an event requires the use of a road, alley, EPark Zone, sidewalk or bike lane. The event must be open to the public and not for private, exclusive use.
When on roadways, additional civic support such as road closures and detours, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) bus route detours, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) support, or other civic services may be required. The Civic Events and Festivals Section will work directly with you to coordinate support based on your event needs.
There are many types of events that use roadways:
- Parade / Procession
- Street Festival
- Run / Walk
- Sporting Event
- Protest / Rally / March / Demonstration
Residential block parties and play streets can apply for a Temporary Road Closure Permit (OSCAM) and do not require a roadway license or additional civic service support. To see if your residential road event qualifies, review permit guidelines for block parties and play streets.
The Roadway Licence
To request an event on roadways, please submit a Civic Event Application. The assigned City Liaison will contact you to confirm availability, coordinate all related civic services and guide you through the licensing process.
When submitting the Civic Events Application for a road event, please include specific information identifying which areas of the road and/or sidewalk(s) are being requested, with a map that clearly illustrates the area you would like to use, including routes for moving events.
There is no cost for the Roadway License, however, there may be costs related to the civic services required to support your event delivery. Cost estimates will be provided prior to your event. After your event, the City of Edmonton will issue an invoice for the work completed on a cost-recovery basis.
Road Event Considerations
Below are typical roadway event considerations to help you start planning:
The City Network Operations Department designs a TAP to safely detour traffic around your event. This plan details the placement of barricades, cones, signs, and other traffic control devices for the safe navigation of motorists and pedestrians.
For safety, moving roadway events (runs, walks, parades, sporting events) must include marshals along the route to assist participants and pedestrians. Marshals can be paid positions or volunteers, as long as they are briefed on the event and confident in their ability to provide guidance at all points.
If your event affects regular ETS service, your City Liaison will work with ETS to determine if modifications can be supported. If additional ETS service is required to support the event, you will be notified and provided with the cost estimate for this service.
If you are organizing a roadway event that goes through signalized intersections or other high traffic areas, you may be required to hire EPS Extra Duty Detail officers.
Your event may require notification to surrounding residents and/or businesses due to road, sidewalk, and potential transit detours.
Road closures affect more than just vehicle and pedestrian movement, impacting: EPark zones, parkade/lot access, business/residential/disabled parking, accessibility, loading zones, bus stops, alley access, emergency routes, and hospital/school zones. Your City Liaison will help you identify these issues, and discuss potential mitigation plans or location changes where mitigation may not be possible.
Contact Us
Civic Events and Festivals Section
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| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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Before you email us: Please visit Neighbourhood Events to book neighbourhood gatherings or block parties. Civic Events and Festivals can only assist you with events taking place on roadways, or in plazas/squares, River Valley parks or Borden Park. |