Welcome! We’re glad you’re interested in obtaining a festival license in the City of Bloomington. To help guide you through the process, we’ve outlined each step below so you’ll know what to expect from application to final approval.

Step 1: Submit Application
Submit a completed application and all required documents by the listed deadline.

Step 2: Receive Invoice
A City Clerk staff member will email an invoice for:

1. $100 application fee; and 
2. $91 background check fee per owner/applicant

Step 3: Pay Fees
Once all fees are paid, your application moves into departmental review.

Step 4: Application Review

1. Departments review your application.
   • You will be emailed if additional information or clarification is needed. If you do not receive an email, your application is still under review.

Step 5: License Fee & Issuance
After approval, you'll receive an email with an invoice for the license fee and information for how to pay.

Once the license fee is paid, the license will be emailed to you.

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Note that if you are requesting liquor as part of your application, a separate application must be submitted. Liquor license information can be found at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/city-clerk/license-permits/liquor.

For your application to be considered complete, the form must be fully filled out and all required documents must be attached to the online application. Missing or incomplete items may delay your application review. If anything is missing or incorrect, you will receive an email explaining what needs to be corrected.

To support you during the application process, we’ve created this Supplemental Document Checklist to help you ensure you have all required documents submitted. Please review before submitting a new license application.

Required Documents for Submission (must be attached to your application)

• Driver’s License Copies (front only) - Required for all applicants, owners, partners, officers with over 20% interest and all general managers. Photo must be clear and fully visible.

• A Signed Agreement between the event organizer and the property owner to use the event space, if applicable. If no agreement is needed, a document stating so.

• A List of All Vendors, including Mobile Food Vendors, that will be operating during the event, if applicable. If no vendors will appear, a document stating so.
  • The list must include each vendor’s business name, phone number, address, email address, and the primary contact person for each event day, along with their cell phone number.

• A Full Event Schedule, as advertised to the public or the private group.

• A Computer-Generated Site Map for the event that includes all of the following using the abbreviations associated with each category:
  • Location of Vendors (V) with Food Vendors (FV) broken out separately;
  • Location of Tents (T) and Canopies (C);
  • Location of Washroom Facilities (WF);
  • Location of Alcoholic Beverage Vendors (AB);
  • Location of Non-Alcoholic Beverage Vendors (NAB);
  • Location of Garbage (G) / Recycling (R) Receptacles;
  • Location of Parking (P);
  • Public Entrances (PE) and Exits (PX); and
  • Location of Sound Stages (SS).

• A Certificate of Liability Insurance including:
  • The applicant’s name must be listed as the insured;
  • The start and end dates of coverage as well as coverage limits;
  • The City of Bloomington listed as an Additional Insured (can be included in the “Description of Operations” box); and
  • The City of Bloomington, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701 listed in the Certificate Holder section.

• A Health Department Permit, if applicable. If none, a document explaining why one is not needed.

• If a Non-Profit Organization, proof of status must be provided in the form of an IRS Determination Letter (501(c)(3) Letter), IRS Affirmation Letter, or Forms 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N.

• Tax Forms – Must be Submitted Online. Local Tax Information can be found on the City’s website at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/finance/local-tax-information
  • Food/Beverage Tax – Required for all licensees who will sell food/beverages and can be submitted online
  • Amusement Tax – Required for events where amusement is exhibitive in nature, meaning it is viewed in exchange for payment of a fee or charge.
    • Includes Cover Charges or Tickets sold

Items Checked Internally (NO documents should be uploaded)

• Entities must be in Good Standing with the State of Illinois
• No outstanding amounts owed to the City (taxes, utilities, legal fees, general billing, backflow or cross‑connection reports)
• $100 application fee must be paid by the deadline in the invoice email

Before license application review can begin, the applicant must pay the following Application Fee:

Application Fee: $100

If approved, each entity is required to pay the following per event license fee based on the approved tier of license:

• Tier I: $100
• Tier II: $200
• Tier III: $300