Permitting for a Pop Up Tent for Experiential Marketing at SXSW 2023
Our team of brand ambassadors and production management team know what it takes to market in Austin during SXSW . With over 18 years of South by South West experience, we understand which ways you can effectively market both at SXSW official and as a non-official marketer.
We are properly licensed and insured by the right authorities but some campaigns can require additional insurances or permitting when marketing in Austin. There may also be additional venue fees or space fees involved.
If you are planning on having a stage or a pop up tent style type of promotion, rather than just a mobile team, permits are a necessity.
WATCH OUT !!! The City of Austin is KNOWN TO CHECK PERMITS ON SITE FREQUENTLY AND ALL THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN AREA~!
The Austin city downtown shuts its streets down for the event and most of the land is taken up by SXSW official business but there are some private spots that can be staked out.
The city does require proper permitting to be in place and insurance policies to be setup up correctly in order to get your message out.
https://austintexas.gov/
https://austintexas.gov/
Music and Entertainment Division
“The Music and Entertainment Division conducts site and sound system inspections for each outdoor sound permit. We also create a Sound Impact Plan (SIP), specific to each venue /event. The SIP defines any additional restrictions including performance times, decibel limit and speaker size, number and orientation.”
Deadlines: We recommend having everything finalized the first week of February or sooner to be effective.
Multi-day permit applications MUST BE RECEIVED a minimum of 30 days before the start of the first scheduled event or the application will not be processed.
24-hour event applications MUST BE RECEIVED a minimum of 21 days before the event or the application will not be processed. The final permit approval/denial determination is made by the DSD Department no later than 30 days after the application is submitted.
OMV Fees ( WE GET THIS FROM THE CITY. THEY CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME BECAUSE WE AIN’T THE GOVERNSMENT! )
FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TAKEN FROM THE AUSTIN TX CITY WEBSITE . WE DO NOT GOVERN THESE COSTS AND AS WITH EVERYTHING IN THE POST PANDEMIC WORLD-THINGS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS!~
| Notification Fee if prepared and mailed by the City of Austin, due at time of application (Notification Fee waived for self prepared notice – must submit prepared notice agreement with application) | $560.00 |
| Sound Impact Evaluation Fee, due at time of application | $200.00 |
| OMV Spring Festival Extended Hour Application Fee, due at time of application | $160.00 |
| Permit Fee, due at time the permit is picked up | $281.36 |
We do understand the process on acquiring these permits. In some cases the inspections can be waived dependent upon what type of impact or staging will be setup for the event itself.
WE ARE NOT THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND DO NOT TAKE PAYMENT FOR THESE PERMITS. THIS IS JUST INFORMATION SHARING TO HELP.
If you still want to give us money. We are here to staff, setup, print and make your SXSW venue or adventurous marketing endeavours run a little smoother.
WE DO CARRY OUR OWN INSURANCE POLICIES AND MAY HAVE PERMITS ALREADY PULLED THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE IN YOUR CAMPAIGN.
THIS IS A CASE BY CASE SCENARIO & CHANGES EVERY YEAR.
Temporary Sound Permit (24-Hour and Multi-Day) Fees
| Notification Fee, ONLY required for Multi-Day if prepared and mailed by the City of Austin, due at time of application (Notification Fee waived for self prepared notice – must submit prepared notice agreement with application | $560.00 |
| Sound Impact Evaluation Fee, due at time of application | $160.00 |
| Permit Fee, due at time the permit is picked up | $125.00 |
Note: No fee for a charitable organization or government agency
Additional Information
The Austin Transportation Department and the Parks & Recreation Department both have different fees associated with amplified sound whether the event is in the right of way or within a City of Austin Park.
Some of our marketing is more on a mobile ground coverage crew type system but if you are planning on having sound being blasted, pop up tents and other bigger type staging events, then you need to have the proper channels taken care of.
We have audio engineers, staging and lighting techs and web programmers on staff.
Let our team help you make your experiential SXSW marketing a success by staffing it with tech savvy and educated promoters and aid you in getting the proper per-requisites setup.
There are strict deadlines the city has in place for Austin City Limits sound permits and zoning permits as well. We have experience in getting these items in place for you and stay current with the evolving times of the City rules and SXSW rules in place.
Please contact us for a free consultation for your event promotion production and brand ambassador team needs.
Here are some other local Austin TX government contacts that may be able to assist. These are also subject to change because we don’t hire or fire these fine folks or get involved in political scandals.
Austin City SXSW Permitting Contacts:
Don Pitts, Music Program Manager, 512-974-7821
David Murray, Sound Engineering Consultant, 512-974-7817
JoAnn Fabian, Administrative Specialist, 512-974-7961
Stephanie Bergara, Music Program Coordinator, 512-974-7804
Alyssa Zinsser, Music Program Coordinator, 512-974-7849
Simone Wilson, Program Specialist, 512-974-2715
Kim McCarson, Economic & Business Liaison, 512-974-7864
For more information about sound permits, visit http://www.austintexas.