Special Events and Vending Permits

 

TIMELINES:

Pay special attention to the timelines that are required to review and approve your application. Applications require the review of several city departments, which you will see in your application. In order to complete and coordinate the review and approval, be sure to submit your completed application within the timelines stated.
 

• A standard Special Event application must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the proposed event. 
• Please note that if any City personnel, support services, and/or road closures will be required at your event, the application must be submitted a minimum of 60 days prior to the proposed event.
• If the event needs a Use Permit because it will take place on public property and will last 3 or more days and/or involve alcohol,  the application must be submitted  a minimum of 60 days prior to the proposed event as it requires approval of City Council.

FEES:

• The fee for a Special Events application is $100.
• If the event encroaches on public property, the Engineering Bureau will determine if a $100 Right of Way fee may be required.
• If the event will take place on public property and will last more than 3 days and/or involve alcohol, a $50 Use Permit fee will be required.

 

• Additional post event fees may be assessed for the use of public safety personnel (police, fire, EMS), use of city electricity, use of city water, use of traffic resources, the need for a fire permit or tent permit.
• Any fees pertaining to your specific request will be explained in your application.

WHAT YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR APPLICATION:

• You will be required to submit specific details about your event including location, dates and times, type of event, etc.
• You will need a detailed site map.  Examples are provided in the application.
• You may need insurance.  Directions are provided in the application.
• You may need a City of Bethlehem Business Privilege License.
• If you have alcohol at your event, you will need to obtain either a liquor liability insurance policy, a special event liability insurance policy including host liquor liability insurance coverage, or a general liability policy including host liquor liability coverage that satisfies coverage limits specified by the City.  You will also need authorization from the State Liquor Control Board (PLCB).
• If vendors are participating in your event, you will need to provide a list of vendors.

 

SUPPORT:

• If you have any questions or need assistance, please email our events staff or call 610-997-7618.

To begin your application, click here

 

 

TIMELINES:

Pay special attention to the timelines that are required to review and approve your application. Applications require the review of several city departments, which you will see in your application. In order to complete and coordinate the review and approval, be sure to submit your completed application within the timelines stated.
 

• A vendor permit application must be submitted a minimum of 14 days prior to the proposed vending.

FEES:

• Note:  If you have a current annual City of Bethlehem Mobile Truck License (sticker), not all fees may apply.
• Health Inspections Fee:
  • 1   Day Vending           = $26
  • 2 – 3 Days Vending    = $41
  • 4 – 14 Days Vending  = $76
  • Late Submittal Fee    = $10
• Fire Inspection Fee (if cooking, heating, or warming on site):
  • $50 x Number of Vending Locations
• If the event encroaches on public property, the Engineering Bureau will determine if a $100 Right of Way fee may be required.

WHAT YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR APPLICATION:

• If you will be vending as part of a Special Event, you will need the Special Event number provided to you by the event organizer.
• You will be required to submit specific details about your vending including location, dates and times, type of vending, etc.
• If you are not participating in a Special Event, you will need a detailed site map.  
• You may need insurance.  Directions are provided in the application.
• You may need a City of Bethlehem Business Privilege License.
• If you are offering food and/or beverages, you will need to provide a list of products offered (Menu) and a current Food Safety Manager’s Certificate.
• Current Commissary’s Health License if preparing, storing or cleaning equipment off site.  Note: All precooking with cooling of TCS foods must be done in an Approved Licensed Facility.
• If you are cooking, heating, or warming on site, you will need to provide both the heating mechanism and heating source/fuel type for each vending location.
• If you are cooking in a fully enclosed mobile unit (food truck/trailer), you will be required to provide an inspection, testing and maintenance report for your truck or trailer’s Commercial Kitchen Hood Suppression System (2018 IFC 901.6.1).

 

SUPPORT:

• If you have any questions or need assistance, please email our vending staff or call 610-419-8377.

 
To begin your application, click here

•  

 

eligibility:

Annual vending permits for fully enclosed mobile food trucks and location specific site stands (including non-enclosed trailers) are available under the following conditions;
Mobile Food Trucks

• Trucks may operate on private properties that have been pre-approved
• Trucks vending on public property requires an additional standard Vending Permit for each occurrence

Site Stands

• Allows vending (stick) stands and/or non fully-enclosed trailers to operate throughout the year on one pre-approved private property
• This annual permit is not valid on public property.  A standard Vending Permit is required for every vending occurrence on public property

 

TIMELINES:

Pay special attention to the timelines that are required to review and approve your application. Applications require the review of several city departments, which you will see in your application. In order to complete and coordinate the review and approval, be sure to submit your completed application within the timelines stated.
 

• An annual vendor permit application must be submitted a minimum of 14 days prior to the first proposed vending date.

FEES:

Mobile Food Trucks

• Health Inspection Fee:  $176
• Fire Inspection Fee (if cooking, heating, or warming on site):  $100

Site Stands

• Health Inspection Fee:  $76
• Fire Inspection Fee (if cooking, heating, or warming on site):  $50

WHAT YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR APPLICATION:

• You will need to submit a floor plan of your mobile truck or site stand.  
• You will need a City of Bethlehem Business Privilege License.
• If you are offering food and/or beverages, you will need to provide a list of products offered (Menu) and a current Food Safety Manager’s Certificate.
• Current Commissary’s Health License if preparing, storing or cleaning equipment off site.  Note: All precooking with cooling of TCS foods must be done in an Approved Licensed Facility.
• If you are cooking, heating, or warming on site, you will need to provide both the heating mechanism and heating source/fuel type.
• If you are cooking in a fully enclosed mobile unit (food truck/trailer), you will be required to provide an inspection, testing and maintenance report for your truck or trailer’s Commercial Kitchen Hood Suppression System (2018 IFC 901.6.1).
• If you are a location specific site stand, you will need the Hosting permit number provided to you by the private property owner.
• If you are a location specific site stand, you will be required to submit specific details including location, first date of vending, type of vending, etc.

 

SUPPORT:

• If you have any questions or need assistance, please email our vending staff or call 610-419-8377.

To begin your application, click here
 

 

eligibility:

A Hosting Permit is required for a business to host recurring vendors on their private property.

• Needs approval from Zoning Office and Fire Department
• All vendors must have a Standard or Annual Vending Permit

 

TIMELINES:

Pay special attention to the timelines that are required to review and approve your application. Applications require the review of several city departments, which you will see in your application. In order to complete and coordinate the review and approval, be sure to submit your completed application within the timelines stated.
 

• A hosting permit application must be submitted a minimum of 14 days prior to the first proposed hosting date.

FEES:

Fees are not required for this application and this permit does need to be renewed annually.  However, if any of the following change, the permit will no longer be valid and a new application must be submitted: (1) Property ownership (2) Business ownership (3) Physical changes to the property, parking, or requested location of vendors.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR APPLICATION:

• A detailed site plan including any permanent structures, parking spaces, and the proposed location where the vendor will operate.

 

SUPPORT:

• If you have any questions or need assistance, please email our fire department.

To begin your application, click here
 

 

eligibility:

Application to request police services for your business/organization.

• Not to be used for Special Events; Extra duty (roster) requests are included in the Special Event Application

 

TIMELINES:

Pay special attention to the timelines that are required to review and approve your application. Applications require review, which you will see in your application. In order to complete and coordinate the review and approval, be sure to submit your completed application within the timelines stated.
 

• An Extra Duty application must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the first date of requested service.

FEES:

An estimation of the number of officer hours required and current hourly rate will be provided in the Police Department review.  
 

SUPPORT:

• If you have any questions or need assistance, please email our police department.

To begin your application, click here
 

 

eligibility:

Application to request EMS ambulance services for your business/organization.

• Not to be used for Special Events; EMS ambulance requests are included in the Special Event Application

 

TIMELINES:

Pay special attention to the timelines that are required to review and approve your application. Applications require review, which you will see in your application. In order to complete and coordinate the review and approval, be sure to submit your completed application within the timelines stated.
 

• An EMS Stand-By application must be submitted a minimum of 14 days prior to the first date of requested service.

FEES:

An estimation of the number of EMS ambulance hours required and current hourly rate will be provided in the EMS Bureau review.  
 

SUPPORT:

• If you have any questions or need assistance, please email our EMS Bureau.

To begin your application, click here