A new $500 inspection fee will soon apply to mass gathering permits in Smith County. This charge, set by Smith County commissioners, is designated for events taking place outside city limits within the unincorporated areas of the county. The measure's primary goal is to help offset the costs associated with the rigorous permit and inspection process undertaken by various county departments.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Wilson clarified the rationale behind the new fee, indicating that the actual costs involved in the permit process are substantially higher than the $500 charge. However, Wilson stated that officials aimed to establish a fee that would be reasonable for event organizers. He detailed the extensive preparatory work required, noting that “a lot of work” is put in beforehand by multiple agencies. This includes significant efforts from the Smith County Sheriff's Office, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office, and NET Health.
The funds generated by this $500 inspection fee will be distributed among these participating agencies. This allocation is intended to support the ongoing mass gathering inspections, which are a critical component of the state’s health and safety code. These inspections ensure that large-scale events meet established public safety and health standards for the protection of attendees and the community.
The requirement for a mass gathering permit itself is stipulated under the Texas Mass Gatherings Act. According to this state statute, any gathering that meets specific criteria must receive approval from the county judge or his designated representative, Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue. These criteria specifically apply to events held in the unincorporated areas of Smith County, outside city limits, if the event is planned for more than five continuous hours, or for any amount of time between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Event organizers are mandated to apply for the Smith County Mass Gathering Permit well in advance. The statute requires that applications be submitted at least 45 days prior to the event date. To ensure fairness and a thorough review process, the act also provides for a hearing process if an application is submitted on time and includes all the necessary information. A key regulation specified within the statute states that mass gathering events cannot be promoted or advertised until they have received official approval from the designated authorities.
