Fort Worth Insurance Certificate Requirements - City Law

Events and Special Uses Texas 4 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

Overview

In Fort Worth, Texas, organizers, vendors, lessees and contractors are often required to supply proof of insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI) before receiving permits or authorization for activities on city property or under municipal contracts. This guide explains the typical certificates, coverage types, naming and endorsement rules, who enforces them, and practical steps to get permits. Where official city pages specify exact language or forms, this guide cites those sources; where the city pages do not state specific dollar limits or timelines, the text notes that the figure is not specified on the cited page and gives the enforcing office for follow-up.

Always confirm insurance language and additional-insured endorsements with City Risk Management before submitting a permit.

Required Coverage & Certificates

Fort Worth generally requires a certificate of insurance showing commercial general liability, automobile liability where vehicles are used, and workers' compensation where employees are involved. Certificates must name the City of Fort Worth as an additional insured when required by the permit or contract terms. Exact coverage limits, wording for additional insured endorsements, and minimum policy types depend on the permit type (special event, right-of-way use, lease, construction contract) and are set by the approving department or Risk Management.

  • Commercial general liability: typical requirement appears on city permit pages; specific dollar amounts not specified on the cited page.
  • Certificate of Insurance (COI): must show policy name, limits, policy period, and insurer; endorsement wording for additional insured may be required.
  • Automobile liability: required when vehicles operate on city property or public rights-of-way.
  • Workers' compensation: required for contractors with employees working on city projects or events on city property.
Coverage requirements vary by permit type and department; always check the permit instructions.

For event permits and public-use permissions, the Parks or Special Events permitting page and Risk Management outline insurance expectations and submission routes. See the City permit resource and Risk Management for the controlling instructions and submission addresses Special Events permit page[1] and City Risk Management[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

The City enforces insurance requirements through permit denial, contract nonaward, stop-work or revocation of permits, and may pursue monetary penalties or claims where uninsured activities cause loss. Exact statutory fine amounts for failure to provide required insurance are not itemized on a single city ordinance page and are often governed by the department's permit conditions and contract terms; specific monetary penalties are not specified on the cited municipal pages. Enforcement is typically led by the enforcing department that issued the permit and City Risk Management.

  • Enforcer: department issuing the permit (Parks, Transportation, Building Inspections, or other approving office) working with City Risk Management; formal contact is Risk Management.
  • Fines/monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page; contract or permit may state liquidated damages or cost recovery.
  • Escalation: typical progression is permit denial, notice to cure, suspension of permit/contract, and potential collection actions; specific escalation timelines are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, permit revocation, withholding of final approvals or certificates of occupancy, and removal from allowed vendor lists.
  • Inspections and complaints: complaints about uninsured activity or noncompliance are routed to the issuing department and Risk Management for investigation.
  • Appeals/review: appeals of permit denial or enforcement actions follow the appeal procedures in the permit or contract documents; specific appeal time limits are not specified on a single city page and should be confirmed with the issuing department or Risk Management.
If a permit requires an endorsement naming the City as additional insured, provide it before the permit is issued.

Common violations

  • Failure to include the City of Fort Worth as additional insured on the COI.
  • Expired policy dates shown on the COI at the time of the event or work.
  • Policies missing required coverage types (e.g., no auto liability for vehicles).

Applications & Forms

Submission methods and forms vary by permit type. The City’s special events and permit pages list application steps and submission contacts, but some specific form names, fee tables, or filing deadlines are not specified on a single consolidated page; applicants should consult the permit page and Risk Management contact for the current forms and upload instructions. Common items include a Special Event Permit application, COI upload or email to Risk Management, and any vendor or contractor licensing required by the issuing department.

If the online permit portal lacks a COI upload, email Risk Management and the issuing department well before the event date.

How-To

  1. Identify the permit type and issuing department for your activity.
  2. Review the permit instructions for insurance language and required endorsements.
  3. Contact City Risk Management to confirm exact wording and any additonal-insured requirements Risk Management[2].
  4. Request a COI from your insurer that lists the City of Fort Worth and includes the endorsement text required by the permit.
  5. Upload or deliver the COI and completed application to the issuing department by the permit deadline; pay any permit or review fees as required.

FAQ

Who must name the City of Fort Worth as additional insured?
The party performing work on city property, vendors using city facilities, and some event organizers must name the City of Fort Worth as additional insured per the permit or contract.
What coverage limits are required?
Coverage limits depend on permit type and department requirements; specific dollar minimums are not specified on a single city page and must be confirmed with the issuing department or Risk Management.
Where do I send a certificate of insurance?
Certificates are submitted to the issuing department and City Risk Management by the method listed on the permit instructions or Risk Management page.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm insurance wording with City Risk Management early in planning.
  • Provide a COI that lists policy types, limits, dates, and endorsements requested by the permit.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Worth Special Events & Permit information
  2. [2] City of Fort Worth Risk Management - Insurance and claims
  3. [3] Fort Worth Code of Ordinances - municipal code host

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