Event permit (use of public ground)
Anyone holding an event on public ground in the City of Zurich (festival, market, street party, outdoor catering, demonstration) needs a permit from the city police. Depending on the plan, specialist offices (noise, traffic, waste, alcohol) are involved.
Common concerns that lead here
Digital maturity & simplification
Online maturity:Partly digitalStatus: ObservedMedia breaks
- Separate payment
- Re-entering data
Data already on file (once-only)
Organiser master data and recurring events could be stored so that follow-up applications need not re-enter everything.
Pain points
- Several specialist offices must be coordinated; long lead time.
- Payment happens separately by invoice.
Improvement ideas
- One-window application that automatically involves all specialist offices.
- Recurring-event profile with pre-filled data.
Impact & metrics
- Share online: Gesuch online, Zahlung separat
User groups
Associations and neighbourhood groups · Businesses / catering · Private organisers
Steps (textual)
- Event on public ground plannedStartEvent organiser
- Mind the lead time (apply early)InputEvent organiser
Depending on size, applications must be submitted several weeks in advance (large events much earlier).
- Submit application onlineInputEvent organiser
Details on location, date, expected attendance, setup, noise/music, alcohol and waste.
- Specialist reports (noise, traffic, waste, alcohol)Process
Übersetzung ausstehend — Verbindliche Werte (Fristen & Gebühren)
Übersetzung ausstehend — Verbindliche Zahlen stehen bewusst nicht im Diagramm — sie gelten nur so, wie sie in der amtlichen Quelle stehen. Jeder Eintrag verlinkt auf die exakte Stelle.
- Recommended lead time for permit applications (depends on event size)(retrieved 2026-06-10)
«Bitte informieren Sie sich ausführlich, bevor Sie das Gesuch ausfüllen und reichen Sie dieses spätestens vier Wochen vor dem Veranstaltungsbeginn ein.»
Legal basis
Sources
- Stadtpolizei Zürich – Bewilligungen(retrieved 2026-06-06)