Any person desiring to use the designated locations and times for a performance will need to
apply, and approved, for a temporary permit from the City of Alpharetta / Cultural Services
Division. Once a performer is approved, the temporary permit will expire in December of the
calendar year.
- All applicants shall attach a copy of a current state-issued identification card or driver’s license.
- The applicant will be required to demonstrate his/her art, craft, or performance by submitting a video for review by City staff.
- Applications are accepted online only.
- Applications will be reviewed on the first Tuesday of each month and artists will be notified of acceptance within 2-3 business days. (Excluding City holidays and weekends.)
- Applications may be denied for any of the following reasons: (1) Outstanding citations or violations from the City of Alpharetta; (2) Incomplete Application and/or Fees; (3) Previous permit holders with a suspended or revoked permit due to violations or disorderly conduct for the term of the suspension or revocation (see Violations & Penalties below); (4) Number of performer permits has reached full capacity; and at any time the City of Alpharetta may place a hold on accepting additional applicants.
Identification Badge
Once the application has been approved, the applicant shall be issued a permit, which will be
adhered to your tip jar. and contain the following information:
1. Performer’s name; 2. Photograph of the performer; 3. Performance classification; 4. Expiration date.
Performers shall have their identification badge permit/city-approved tip jar visible when they are engaged in performances. Permits are property of the City of Alpharetta and can be
revoked for violations. All performers must have their City Permitted Identification Badge to play in the approved locations.
Permit Term
Permits expire in December, annually. New applications or permits are issued during City business hours. We do not review applications or issue permits on City holidays.
Permitted Areas
Performance locations will be issued with your permit. Some locations may not be applicable during certain times of the year due to festivals, other events, construction, use of location for extended promotions, or any other unforeseen circumstances. The City reserves the right to not allow permitted performers during any time for any reason.
Locations - Performances shall be limited to the following locations:
- OLD Roswell Street Pocket Park (on Old Roswell Street, behind Curahee, by the oak tree nearfood truck alley)
- North Main Street Park (corner of Milton Avenue and Main Street)
- Roswell Street Pocket Park (corner of Old Roswell Street & Roswell Street)
- Canton Street Pocket Park (corner of Old Canton Street & Canton Street)
- Alley between SmokeJack Entrance and side corner of Berkshire Hathaway Building
- Oliver Waters/McCollum Warehouse Historical Marker (Milton Ave. & Old Roswell)
Times - Approved performance times will be posted and released through a Sign-Up Genius link that will be available at the beginning of the month to all approved applicants. It will be the performer’s responsibly to check the online link. In accordance with City of Alpharetta Ordinances, all street performers must abide by noise, sound level limitations, and hours of the parks for each permitted area/location. Performer may be limited to 6 bookings per month based on availability. You may perform in more than one location per day, but the slots cannot be consecutive.
ADA Guidelines - All Street Performers must follow ADA Guidelines at all locations. Street Performers must be knowledgeable with ADA Guidelines and implement these all locations where their performances take place.
Minors
Any applicant under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian submit the application package and complete the signed letter of consent on the application. All permitted minors must always have a parent or legal guardian present as they are performing on the public right-of-way.
Cleanliness
Performers shall keep the area in which they perform, including areas immediately adjacent thereto, clean, and free from any litter or debris that may be generated because of or otherwise associated with their performance. This includes refuse left by patrons and onlookers. Performer may kindly ask audience to take their refuse to the trash at end of performance. No permit holder shall dispose of any trash or material in City of Alpharetta trash receptacles such as plastic, liquids, perishable items, etc. Performers must provide their own waste bag to dispose of offsite any trash or material created by performer (i.e.- balloon pieces from a balloon artist).
Restrictions
Conflicting Events – Permitted performers shall yield to ALL scheduled, permitted Special Event Permitted locations. Special Event Permits supersede performer permits and all permission for the performer locations falls under the Special Event Permit for request and approvals.
Prohibited Materials- Performers shall not use, display, or incorporate into their performances any knives, swords, torches, open flames, axes, saws, firearms, or any other hazardous material, equipment, chemical, or object that can cause serious bodily harm to a person, location, or environment.
Animals- Performers shall not include animals in their performances, other than for legitimate ADA purposes.
Noise/Amplification- Performer must comply with the City’s City of Alpharetta Ordinances, all street performers must abide by noise, sound level limitations, and hours of the parks for each permitted area/location. Small amplification may be permitted upon approval of the sound system and at North Main Street Park only. Common approved systems are the Roland CUBE Street series.
Personal Conduct - No vulgar, lewd, or obscene dress or behavior will be tolerated.
Equipment and Displays
Performance equipment and/or displays shall be no larger than three feet in length, width, and height whether on the ground or atop a table. Nothing may be left unattended for more than fifteen minutes. Items left unattended for more than fifteen minutes may be considered abandoned and subject to removal by the City. No performer shall display anything on public benches, monuments, buildings, etc.
Tips
Performers are allowed to take tips through a QR Code system of their choice (i.e.- Venmo or PayPal) in addition to a City-provided “tip jar”.
Removal
Any display or other material associated with a performance that: interferes with vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, or public amenities; obstructs the right-of-way; contains lewd or obscene material; or is otherwise dangerous or damaging to public property; or conflicts / competes with an adjacent bricks and mortar business shall be removed immediately upon the request of any authorized City representative.
Violations & Penalties
Suspension of Permit - Where a Performer is found to be in violation of the provisions of this policy, his/her permit will be subject to the following penalties, which may not be waived or reduced, and which may be combined with any other legal remedy available to the City:
- First violation: Suspension of Permit. Maximum 60-day suspension of performer permit.
- Second violation: Revocation of Permit. performer permit shall be revoked. Such performer shall be ineligible to receive a permit for one year following the date of the second offense.
Upon violation, a City Staff and/or Police Officer will confiscate the City issued Identification Badge and City QR Code Rating Sign from the performer; inform the performer of the number of days the City issued Identification Badge will be suspended; and deliver it to the Office of Cultural Services Division. City Staff will inform the performer where and when they may reclaim their City-issued identification badge.
Disorderly Conduct - Any performer specifically found to be in violation of the City’s Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance while engaged in a performance or otherwise within the public right-of-way pursuant to a permit issued under this policy shall be subject to immediate permit suspension for a period of 30 days for a first offense. For a second offense under this subsection within a rolling twelve-month period the performer’s permit shall be revoked and he/she shall not be eligible to reapply for a period of five years. Performer permit fees are non-refundable for any reason.
Performing without a Permit - Any person who engages in a performing activity, as defined by this article, without first applying and obtaining a permit will be asked to leave and apply for a permit. They are not allowed to engage in performing until a permit is received.
Counterfeit Permits - Any person found with a counterfeit permit will have the counterfeit permit confiscated and could be charged with a City violation.
On behalf of the group listed above, I understand, by my signature below, the fees, conditions, and policies provided in this application and agree to abide by them. The group and all participants assume all responsibility for, and risks and hazards of, participation in the activity referenced above. On behalf of the group, do hereby release Arts Alpharetta, the City of Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services Department, the Recreation Commissioners, all officials, officers, supervisors, volunteers, and all other agents of the city, of any and all claims, demands, rights and causes of action of whatever kind and nature, arising from and by reason of, personal injuries, damages to property, and the consequences thereof, resulting from our participation in the activity described above and use of City of Alpharetta. I understand and agree to the terms, conditions and policies set forth in this Temporary Public Performance Permit Agreement.
