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Crowd Gathering Activity Permits
At their December 3, 2025 meeting, the NH Board of Commissioners approved updates to Town Code, Chapter 4: Crowd Gathering Activities and Group Demonstrations. These changes include revised permit requirements, fees, and new usage rules for Town parks, including Dowdy Park.
Hosting a Large Public Event in Nags Head
Do you plan to host a large event in Nags Head that is open to the public?
Do you anticipate attendance of over 100 people?
If so, you may need a Crowd Gathering Activity Permit.
Crowd gathering permit requirements are defined according to the tier categories below:
Tier I: Lowest impact activities that take place in off-street venues; have fewer than 250 total attendees; affect a minimal number of residents or establishments; and have no significant activity infrastructure. A Tier I activity cannot include any of the following:
- Use of the public right-of-way
- Use of fireworks, pyrotechnics, or open-flame performances
- Use of special amusement buildings or rides
- A concert or live performance with the use of an amplified sound system
- Use of temporary structures that would require inspection by the building inspector or fire marshal
- Activity location on the public beach
Application Submittal Timeframe: No later than 15 days prior to the event
Applications must be submitted according to the tiered schedule and must include application fee payment. Tier I application fee is $100.00. Applications are not considered submitted until the application fee has been received.
Application fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.This is a DocuSign form that will automatically be routed through the approval process. You will not be able to sign the document if you have not provided all required attachments. You will receive a completed copy upon approval. Town officials will contact you if further information is required.
Once permit approval notice is received, additional permit related fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.
No permit will be issued until all permit fees are fully paid in accordance with the Consolidated Fee Schedule.
Tier II: Medium impact activities that take place in off-street venues and/or close only one street; have at least 250 but fewer than 750 total attendees; affect a minimal number of residents or establishments; and have no significant activity infrastructure. A Tier II activity cannot include or require any of the following:
- Activity attendance of 750 or more people
- Use of fireworks, pyrotechnics, or open-flame performances
- Use of special amusement buildings or rides
- Closure of more than one street
Application Submittal Timeframe: No later than 60 days prior to the event
Applications must be submitted according to the tiered schedule and must include application fee payment. Tier II application fee is $200.00. Applications are not considered submitted until the application fee has been received.
Application fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.This is a DocuSign form that will automatically be routed through the approval process. You will not be able to sign the document if you have not provided all required attachments. You will receive a completed copy upon approval. Town officials will contact you if further information is required.
Once permit approval notice is received, additional permit related fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.
No permit will be issued until all permit fees are fully paid in accordance with the Consolidated Fee Schedule.
Tier III: Highest impact on the community, which may involve the closure of multiple streets; closure that inconveniences numerous residents or establishments; excessive noise; attendance of 750 or more people; and significant activity infrastructure that requires inspection and permitting. Any crowd gathering activity not meeting the requirements of Tier I or Tier II shall be classified as a Tier III crowd gathering activity.
Application Submittal Timeframe: No later than 90 days prior to the event
Applications must be submitted according to the tiered schedule and must include application fee payment. Tier III application fee is $300.00. Applications are not considered submitted until the application fee has been received.
Application fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.This is a DocuSign form that will automatically be routed through the approval process. You will not be able to sign the document if you have not provided all required attachments. You will receive a completed copy upon approval. Town officials will contact you if further information is required.
Once permit approval notice is received, additional permit related fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.
No permit will be issued until all permit fees are fully paid in accordance with the Consolidated Fee Schedule.
Group demonstration means any assembly or concert of action for the purpose of protesting or demonstrating for or against any matter, or of making known any position or promotion of such persons or matter, or of or on behalf of any organization, group, corporation or class of persons, or for the purpose of attracting attention to such assembly.
Procession means any march, ceremony, show, exhibition or procession of any kind in or upon the public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks or other public grounds or places in the town.
Picket line means a group of persons formed together for the purpose of making known any position or promotion of such persons, or of or on behalf of any organization, group, corporation or class of persons.
The police chief or their designee is authorized to issue permits as required in this division. Groups of less than 30 individuals need not obtain a permit.
Application Submittal Timeframe: No later than 72 hours prior to the event if attendance is expected to be less than 100 people
Gatherings or demonstrations which are open to the public and drawing or likely to draw more than 100 participants must also obtain a crowd gathering activity permit. Failure to obtain a crowd gathering activity permit, if applicable, shall be grounds for the police chief or their designee to refuse to issue a permit.
Application Submittal Timeframe: No later than 30 days prior to the event if attendance is expected to be over 100 people
Applications must include application fee payment. For Group Demonstrations with attendance of more than 100 people the application fee is $25.00. Applications are not considered submitted until the application fee has been received.
Application fees can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.This is a DocuSign form that will automatically be routed through the approval process. You will not be able to sign the document if you have not provided all required attachments. You will receive a completed copy upon approval. Town officials will contact you if further information is required.
Once permit approval notice is received, additional permit related fees, if applicable, can be paid online, in person at Town Hall, or mailed to PO Box 99, Nags Head, NC 27959.
No permit will be issued until all permit fees are fully paid in accordance with the Consolidated Fee Schedule.