2,500 + Attendees
A Mass Gathering is defined under the Health & Safety Code, Chapter 751 (the Code) as an event that can be defined by the following three conditions:
- A gathering that is held outside the limits of a municipality; and,
- A gathering that attracts or is expected to attract more than 2,500 persons; or more than 500 persons, if 51 percent or more of those persons expected to be younger than 21 years of age and it is expected that alcoholic will be sold, served, or consumed at or around the gathering; and,
- A gathering where participants will remain for more than five continuous hours; or for any amount of time from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
An application from the coordinator, manager, organizer, or promoter of such an event must be
turned into the County Judge’s office a minimum of forty-five (45) days before the event. The
application is available on the County Judge’s page, or by calling the County Judge’s office at 281-341-8608. There is a $200 fee for this application payable to Fort Bend County through the Fire Marshal’s office.
A public hearing will be conducted no later than ten (10) days before the event. A person may
not promote a mass gathering without a permit issued by the County Judge pursuant to § 751.003
of the Code. The Office of the County Judge will coordinate the meeting with the cooperation of
the event promoter and the hearing will be posted as a public meeting.
Representatives from the county environmental health department, medical services, fire marshal, Texas Department of Public Safety and Sheriff’s Office will attend the public hearing to ensure that the minimum standards in health and sanitation; fire safety; and public safety and order, are maintained at the gathering as prescribed by state and local laws, rules, and orders.
Following the public hearing the County Judge will grant or deny the permit as authorized under
the Health & Safety Code § 751.007.