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PUBLIC NOTICE: Events over the Festive Season – Take Note!

George Municipality encourages events to take place in the destination, provided they are covered under the legal framework. It is important that any events planned for the upcoming Festive Season, which runs from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2025, that require municipal approval as per the details below, must be applied for a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the event taking place; and the final deadline for submission of Event Applications for this season is 14 November 2026.
Click here for GM Event Application Form

POPULATION CERTIFICATE
Please note that any event with more than 200 people attending must apply for a Population Certificate, which is obtained from the Fire Department. There is a fee applicable and a number of requirements that must be attended to well in advance.

This includes but is not limited to:
• Fire Department Population Certificate application forms and proof of payment
• All Events require SAPS Risk Categorization
• 1000 people or more, Department of Health, Western Cape medical approval
• Engineering Certificates of Compliance (COCs) for relevant structures involved – for example, tents and stages
• Electrical Certificates of Compliance for any electrical boards and generators
• Public Liability Insurance
• Medical service provider’s registrations
• Security service provider’s registrations
• Appointment letter for Safety Officer
• Permission letter from property owner

Events Safety Management Plan that addresses the following:
Contact details of role-players, emergency services and authorities
• Traffic Plan
• Parking Plan
• Public address system and backup system
• Catering setup/use
• Electricity setup/certificate of compliance for any temporary DV boards
• Waste Removal Plan
• Medical Plan
• Evacuation Plan / Emergency Procedures
• Security Plan
• Site Plan/Sketch
•
Any other documentation the Fire Department deems necessary to complete the application process.
For sporting events, the federation sanction of the game may be required.

OTHER COMPLIANCES
Please note that the land use of your venue must be compliant and certain events with higher risk categorisations will require a Joint Venue Operations Command (JOC). VOC

Please complete this CHECKLIST ( https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GM-Events_Land-Use-Checklist-2023.pdf )to determine if a land use application is required in terms of the Land Use Planning By-law for George Municipality (2023). If a property may as a primary right host an event, then no land use application is required (on all properties other than residential – refer to Addendum A).

Any drone used at events must also comply with the Drone Bylaw (https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GM-DRAFT-New-By-law-on-Remotely-piloted-aircraft.pdf) and obtain Municipal permission.

HEALTH INSPECTIONS
Most events which have food vendors will have inspections by the Garden Route District Municipality Health Inspector.

ONLINE FILM AND EVENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS
https://westerncape.collaboratoronline.com

Please contact Santa Sternsdorf, Station Commander at George Fire Department on 044 801 6300 or ssternsdorf@george.gov.za