News for
April 22, 2026

 

By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondent

Carlo Haro, representing Young Living Lavender Farm, requested a change to the number of events allowed under a single special events permit.

“I am trying to bring events to Young Living,” he said. “I would like to have five events a year and the county allows only four.”

Tanielle Callaway, county clerk/auditor, said that it was true that the county allowed only four special events permits per year.

“Those are three-day permits per event,” said Marvin Kenison, commissioner.

In Juab County, Utah, a Special Event Permit is a general authorization required for hosting public gatherings that impact county resources, while a Beer Permit (or Temporary Beer Event Permit) is a specific, separate authorization required only if an event host plans to sell or serve beer (5 percent ABV or less) at that event.

The purpose of a special event permit is to gain permission from the county to hold a gathering, festival, race, or community event. It ensures that public safety, traffic, and county resources (police, EMS, roads) are managed.

If the event has more than 100 people, impacts county services, occurs on county property, or closes a public right-of-way, a special event permit is needed. Juab County Commission and Juab County Planning Commission approve a special event permit.

The permit covers logistics (parking, safety, sanitation). It does not authorize serving alcohol.The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS), with a local consent required from Juab County, is the issuing agency for a beer permit.

“It was our intention to mirror the state requirements for a special event,” said Clinton Painter, commission chairman.

The Utah special event permits are required for organized activities, races, or festivals on public property, typically requiring applications 30 to 90 plus days in advance. Permits are managed locally by city/county governments, or by state agencies (UDOT, State Parks, BLM) for specific locations, often requiring insurance, site plans, and vendor fees.

Key requirements often include liability insurance ($1M–$3M), vendor tax info, and health department permits.

A permittee can have an event permit without a beer permit, but cannot legally serve beer at an event without both the special event permit (for the event) and a beer permit (for the alcohol).

In Utah, public events serving beer require a Temporary Beer Event Permit from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS).

This permit allows for the on-premise sale and consumption of beer that is 5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) or less (4.0 percent alcohol by weight).

Callaway said that Perry Davis, county attorney, who could not be present, said said the liquor served at special events required a state permit.

Haro said his interest was in being allowed to hold five events at Young Living. The dates he was interested in were May 16, June 13, July 11, August 15 and September 5.

An application would be for May through June which would be 30 days, said Callaway. If four events were held, that would amount to 12 days.

Jared G. Rowley, Deputy Juab County Attorney. filled in for Davis at the meeting.

Rowley said that the attorney’s office could have a draft of a special events permit by the next meeting that would more nearly reflect what the state did.

The state of Utah provides temporary special event permits. The Temporary Sales Tax License/Special Return (TC-790C) is required for selling taxable items, such as food or merchandise, at a special event. Promoters can register, or vendors can do so individually through the Utah State Tax Commission.

Painter said that it might be wise to table the request and get the county ordinance adjusted to reflect what the state ordinance contained.

Marty Palmer, commissioner, made the motion to table the request until the next commission meeting. Marvin Kenison, commissioner, made the second and all voted in favor.

“If you want to sell beer at your events and you have more events than the state allows for a temporary license, you might need to get a permanent permit,” said Kenison.