Special Events Guidelines

If you are planning a special event where food will be prepared, sold or served, it must comply with all local and provincial requirements.

Examples include:

• Carnivals
• Festivals
• Fairs
• Bake sales
• Charity barbecues
• Open farms
• Sporting events
• Other food events

Brant County Health Unit requirements:

Organizer Requirements

All organizers must complete and submit the Special Event Organizer Application Form to host a special event to the Brant County Health at least 30 days prior to the start of the event by email to EnvironmentalHealth@bchu.org or fax at 519- 753-2140. Organizers must also send all food vendor applications and accompanying documentation to the Brant County Health Unit at least 14 days prior to the start of the event.

Please review the following:

Special Events – Organizer Information Guide

Special Events – Organizer Application Form (Fillable)

Food Vendor Information

All food vendors must follow the Food Vendor Information Guide as provided below.  Food vendors are to complete and submit the Food Vendor Application Form, with accompanying documents, to the organizer of the event.
Your organizer is responsible for sending your completed application form to the Brant County Health Unit at least 14 days prior to the start of the event.

Please review the following:

Special Events – Vendor Information Guide

Special Events – Vendor Application Form (Fillable)

Smoke-Free Outdoor Events
As an event organizer, you must ensure all visitors comply with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFO Act).

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act
The SFO Act prohibits smoking on restaurant and bar patios (including those at festivals and events) and within 20 metres of playgrounds and public sporting and spectator areas.

Your event must be smoke-free if:

• The area is open to the public, even if a fee is charged for entry.
• The area is worked in, or visited by, employees or volunteers.
• Food or drink is served, sold or offered for consumption, or the area is operated in conjunction with one where food or drink is served, sold, or offered for consumption.
• The area is not primarily a private dwelling.

Duties of Event Organizers

• Make sure visitors know your event is smoke-free. Promote it as such, and post appropriate signage.
• Educate volunteers and employees about smoke-free regulations.
• Discourage smoking at the event.

Enforcement
The SFO Act is enforced by Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEOs) at the Brant County Health Unit. TEOs conduct routine inspections and investigate complaints.

Penalties
Fines for smoking in a prohibited area range from $250 to $5,000. Fines for permitting smoking and not taking reasonable measures to ensure the event complies with the SFO Act can range from $300 to $300,000.

For More Information
Call the Tobacco Information Line at 519-753-4937 ext. 465, or visit https://bchu.org/public-health-topic/tobacco/.

Municipal Requirements

City of Brantford
A permit may be required if you are planning to organize an event within the City of Brantford. If your event requires City services or impacts City by-laws or policies, you may be asked to attend a Special Event Advisory Team (S.E.A.T.) meeting. Food vendors attending special events may require special event food cart license. For more information, contact the City of Brantford at 519-759-4150 or visit their website.

County of Brant

If you are planning a special event within the County of Brant, you must submit a Special Event Request Application at least 90 days before your event. For more information, contact the county of Brant at 519-442-6324 or visit their website.