St. Augustine's City Commission gave the green light on August 24 to a sweeping update of how public spaces can be used for events. The newly approved Terms of Use for Public Property Events Manual pulls together what had been a scattered collection of policies, procedures, and fee schedules into one consolidated reference document — meant to make life simpler for residents, event planners, and city staff alike.
The manual touches on nearly every aspect of event management on city-owned land. It sets limitations and block-out periods for Francis Field, establishes parameters for gatherings at the Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo, and lays out rules for events that require street closures. Updated use fees, shuttle and parking requirements, and a formal permit-appeal process are also included, along with specific protections for historically established multi-day events and a new policy for events held in newly designated spaces.
Community Services Director Jaime D. Perkins, who presented the item at Monday's meeting, said the goal is to provide clear, consistent guidance that reduces confusion for everyone involved — from organizers submitting their first application to city staff processing it on the back end. The manual covers scheduling, mobility, staffing, public safety, and venue capacity considerations for large-scale gatherings and road closures.
All policies, procedures, and fee schedules in the approved manual take effect October 1, 2026, giving the city time to notify event organizers, roll out the updated administrative processes, and align the changes with the city's annual fee adoption cycle.
Event organizers with questions can reach Events and Venue Coordinator Kristin Odom at 904-825-1004. This story is based on reporting from Flagler News Weekly.
