Permitting Process
The Special Events Office coordinates the event permitting process.
However, not all events in the City of Seattle need a Special Event Permit. You must apply for this type of permit when an event:
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Requires coordinated City services
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Has a significant impact on a park, public, or private place
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Requires planning and permitting by more than one City, County, and/or State agency
This protects public safety and property while reducing impacts on the location or neighbors.
Read the guidelines below to learn about criteria for a Special Event Permit.
Yes, if your event closes or uses a City of Seattle street, sidewalk, alleyway, public parking, or another right-of-way, you need a Special Event Permit.
However, you do not need a Special Event Permit if all of the following apply:
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Closure is one block only and does not include an intersection closure AND
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Closure is of a non-arterial street AND
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Event attendance will be less than 300 people at any given time AND
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Event does not need Police, Fire, or other City resources AND
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There is no alcohol service or consumption on public property AND
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Event takes place in daylight hours only AND
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Event has minimal setup in the street (objects must be quickly movable by one person)
If your event plan meets all of the above criteria, then you may qualify for a People Streets or a Street and Sidewalk Vending permit instead.
Check to see if your street is non-arterial by using SDOT’s Street Type map.
Yes, you need a Special Event Permit if ANY of these apply:
- You are selling alcohol (at a beer garden, bar, etc.)
- You need Police services for safety/security or for traffic control
- Event includes public street or sidewalk use
- Event will have a substantial impact on the park or surrounding neighborhood
- Event will have off-hours outdoor amplified sound (10:00pm-9:00am on weekends or 10:00pm-7:00am on weekdays)
- Event will require substantial public services
Exception: Events occurring solely in the Seattle Center campus. These events are managed and permitted by Seattle Center staff.
Yes, you need a Special Event Permit if there will be 500 people or more at any given time and ANY of the following apply:
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The event will have a large impact on the park or surrounding neighborhood
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The event will have off-hours outdoor amplified sound. Those hours are 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekends and 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays.
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Event will require considerable public services
Note: Events occurring solely in stadiums or other venues managed by Transportation Management Plans don't need a standard Special Event Permit. This includes Lumen Field, Husky Stadium, Climate Pledge Arena, and T-Mobile Park. Contact the Special Events Office for more information.
If your event requires a Special Events Permit based on any of the above criteria, the Special Events Committee will assign an event category to your event after an application is received.
Event permitting fees and policies are based on the type of event category you are put in.
Learn more about how each type of event is defined here.
Learn more about different special event fee types here.
Application Timeline
This is a general overview of when each required form must be submitted for processing by the Special Events Office. Note that your event may require other forms and permits in addition to those listed below.
Learn more about completing a Special Event Application with related permits and addendums on the Permit Application Instructions and Forms page.
90 Days Prior
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Completed Special Event Application
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Timing and flow of all activities related to the event
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Street Use Plan (Addendum B)
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If your event utilizes a portion of a street or alleyway, this is required.
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Events with 5,000 or more attendees: contact the Medic One office to discuss Medical Staffing requirements.
60 Days Prior
Neighborhood Communication Plan:
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Notify affected neighbors in writing 45-60 days prior to the event (Addendum J)
- Guidance and requirements for neighborhood communication
45 Days Prior
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Events with off-hours amplified sound (10:00pm to 7:00am on weekdays, 10:00pm to 9:00am weekends): Temporary Noise Variance Application
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Events with 1,000 or more attendees: Public Safety & Event Management Plan
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Events serving alcohol: submit license application and fees to the Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board (WSLCB)
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More information on alcohol service and locations.
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30 Days Prior
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General Liability insurance documents
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Events serving alcohol: Liquor Liability insurance
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Include an approved Alcohol Permit from Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
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Events with vendors: Vendor List (Addendum H)
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Neighborhood Communication Plan
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Conduct second round of neighborhood communication
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Full payment for Special Event Permit fees
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Invoices for Special Event Permit fees are issued by the Special Events Office. Fees are due by the date included in invoice correspondence.
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15 Days Prior
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Final revisions or changes to Run of Show (event timeine)
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Final revisions or changes to Vendor List
30 Days Prior
Within 30 days after your event, submit a written request for adjustments to Special Event Permit fees paid (if applicable).