Temporary administrative hold on special events - view news release.
If you are holding an event in whole or part on public property you may need a special event permit.
The City of Kirkland issues the following types of event permits:
• Special Event (parade, run, walk, etc.)
• Film/Photography
• Block Party (Neighborhood gatherings)
First step: Anyone interested in hosting an event should
email the Special Project Coordinator or call 425-587-3347 to discuss the event and request a special event
Interest Form; the first step towards putting an event proposal together.
Events are the cornerstone for community celebrations and gatherings. However, producing an event requires a lot of planning. Please refer to the
Special Event Guide for a general overview of City regulations and requirements.
Here are some answers to common questions:
| WHAT IS A "SPECIAL EVENT"? |
A special event includes any activity that occurs on private or public property and affects the ordinary use of public streets, rights-of-ways, and/or sidewalks. For practical purposes, this includes, but is not limited to parades, fun runs, cycling, art fairs, and festivals.
WHY DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT
FOR MY SPECIAL EVENT? |
• To assure that an activity meets legal requirements of the use of public right-of-ways.
• To enable the City to ensure adequate services such as public safety, traffic control and sanitation are scheduled.
• To alert the City to any unusual event which should be known to the providers of emergency services.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR MY
SPECIAL EVENT? |
•
Email the Special Project Coordinator or call 425-587-3347 to discuss the event and request a
Special Event Interest Form; the first step towards putting an event proposal together.
• Submit a completed interest form to the City, allowing enough time for City staff to review and process the permit application before your event.
• Once the date and location have been confirmed, you will recieve a status update with an explanation of next steps, including: application requirements, deadlines, and required meeting dates.
HOW MUCH WILL A SPECIAL EVENTS
PERMIT COST OVERALL? |
This depends on the scope of the special event. All special events are required to pay a non-refundable application fee. Additional fees required to provide services necessary for public health, safety and welfare may be identified through the review process. For example, additional fees may be required to provide traffic control and sanitation. Refer to the
Special Event Guide for a list of common special event related fees.
All fees are to be paid prior to issuance of the permit unless otherwise provided in the conditions of approval.
Yes, the City requires commercial general liability insurance in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence with the City named as an additional insured on the policy for the duration of the special event. You will be required to provide the City with a certificate of insurance and an additional insured endorsement.
| WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER AS I APPLY FOR THIS PERMIT? |
Depending on the scope of your proposal, you may be required to make arrangements for notification to affected businesses and residences, sanitation facilities, traffic control equipment, electrical inspections, King County health department inspections, first aid stations, etc. City staff will assist you in identifying these needs. However, the applicant has sole responsibility for obtaining required permits and complying with the City's special events ordinance. Refer to the
Special Event Guide for a general overview of City regulations and requirements.
| WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR DENYING SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITS? |
Permits for special events protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments are subject to reasonable exercise of public control or limitation in the interest of public health, safety, morality and welfare.
For all other permits, applications will be denied if the proposed activity disrupts traffic beyond practical solution; interferes with access to fire stations and fire hydrants; causes undue hardship to surrounding residences or businesses; requires the diversion of so many public employees that service is denied the public at large; endangers the public health, safety or welfare; the applicant fails to provide complete and accurate information or comply with the terms of the permit; is unlawful, or fails to comply with applicable legal requirements.
| WHAT CAN I DO IF I FEEL MY PERMIT HAS BEEN UNFAIRLY DENIED? |
You may appeal a denial to the Special Events Coordinator by filing written Notice of Intent to Appeal within seven (7) business days of notification of denial.
For further information,
email or call 425-587-3347.