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WELCOME TO TACOMA!

WELCOME TO TACOMA! To follow is information to get started producing an event. Begin by reviewing these documents and feel free to reach out. We are glad you are here and Special Events staff are here to help navigate the permitting and planning process. Contact Kala Dralle, Permitting Authority, at 253.573.2523 or kdralle@tacomavenues.org. Special events can include concerts, parades, festivals, races, block parties, constitutionally-protected activities, and many more types of gatherings. A Special Event Permit is required when one or more of the following applies:  More than 50 individuals gather for an event activity. A road or lane closure, whether a full or a rolling closure. Use of any public right-of-way or City-owned park for event activity. Use of public parking spaces for uses other than parking a vehicle. Curbside food truck operation in a non-designated location. For full detail on permitting and to prepare to apply for a permit, download the Special Event Tip Sheet. View a sample public mailer.

To follow is information to get started producing an event. Begin by reviewing these documents and feel free to reach out. We are glad you are here and Special Events staff are here to help navigate the permitting and planning process.

Contact Ashley Young, Permitting Authority, at 253.573.2523 or ayoung1@tacomavenues.org.

Special events can include concerts, parades, festivals, races, block parties, constitutionally-protected activities, and many more types of gatherings. A Special Event Permit is required when one or more of the following applies: 

  • More than 50 individuals gather for an event activity.

  • A road or lane closure, whether a full or a rolling closure.

  • Use of any public right-of-way or City-owned park for event activity.

  • Use of public parking spaces for uses other than parking a vehicle.

  • Curbside food truck operation in a non-designated location.

For full detail on permitting and to prepare to apply for a permit, download the Special Event Tip Sheet. View a sample public mailer.

Requirements All applications are subject to internal department and external agency review to assess and make recommendations. Final issuance of a permit is subject to review, insurance provision, and payment of application fee.  Applicants understand that applications may be denied processing for lack of information, conflict of interest, or conflict with other established events. Please review the additional information on minimum requirements and resources for events below.  Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to event. Constitutionally-protected activities also require a permit, which should be submitted at least seven days prior to event for review and issuance of permit.   FAQ Environmental Services Depending on the size and location of the event, portable restrooms, trash and recycling receptacles may be required. The City does not provide portable restrooms. Trash and recycling containers can be provided by the City’s Solid Waste department for a delivery and dumping fee. Environmental Services may provide in-kind support for non-profit organizations, receiving a city sponsorship, for services such as garbage, recycling and portable toilets through the Green Events Program. Visit the Green Event & ES Event Support page for more information. Find out more by calling 253.591.5172. Food & Beverage Event producers are required to obtain any necessary permits to sell food and beverage that may be required by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and alcohol from the Washington State Liquor Control Board. Events held in City-managed public parks do not allow alcoholic beverage consumption. Some Metro Parks-managed facilities will allow alcohol service with a special use permit. Alcohol sales will require additional security and/or off-duty Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers, as determined by TPD’s Special Events Sergeant at 253.591.5932. Sales of food and alcohol may require a business license. Contact Tax and License at 253.591.5252. Insurance For most events, the event organizer must possess or obtain comprehensive general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured in a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000. The certificate of insurance must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event. Block parties within residentially-zoned areas are not required to provide an insurance certificate. Locations For events using a park or a structure operated by Metro Parks, event organizers will contact Metro Parks directly to reserve the space. The Foss Waterway Owners Association currently issues special events permits for the Esplanade properties. Call 253.985.3812 for information. For further assistance identifying a particular park’s ownership, call the Special Events Office at 253.573.2523. Noise Abatement Applicants and organizers must comply with local noise laws. Unreasonable noise (including music) that is offensive to others may be required by law to cease during the event. Questions and further information about noise abatement should be directed to Craig Kuntz, Planning & Development Services Building Inspector at ckuntz@cityoftacoma.org, 253.594.7820. Notification Thorough notification of neighboring community within a reasonable radius will be conducted by the Special Events Office. A reasonable radius will be determined by the permitting authority based on the event size and impact to the surrounding area. Factors may include timing or length of the event, event footprint, community impacts (including sound, parking and traffic patterns), and pre and post-event activities. Sample Letter and downloadable template Permit Fees Application fees vary based on attendance and whether the event is produced by a for-profit or non-profit entity. Additional costs may also be assessed, which include police services, waste management, and additional permits such as street occupancy or barricades. Fee Schedule (LINK) Public Health For temporary food establishment rules and regulations, and how they apply for permits, contact the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at 253.649.1703. Resources for event planners during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to safely welcome guests to your events, health & safety communications and signage, and other considerations can be found on the Tacoma Creates website. [Jerrol is updating this] Sustainability Event organizers are encouraged to focus on sustainability when creating their event plans. The City’s Green Event Program encourages actions like walking or biking to an event, or the donation of excess food after the event to contribute to Tacoma’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Events that achieve Green Event Certification may be eligible for sponsorship of services such as garbage, recycling, and portable toilets. Events with more than 1,000 participants and events hosted by the City of Tacoma are required to participate in the Green Event Program. The City’s goal is to foster sustainable events with minimal impact on the environment. Learn more about the Green Event Program, including opportunities for in-kind event support, by visiting the Green Event & ES Event Support page. Disposable Plastic Bags: Any organization, including street fair and festival vendors, that sells or provides merchandise, goods or materials, may not provide thin plastic checkout bags (less than 2.25 mils) and must collect a pass-through fee on recycled paper and other retailer provided checkout bags. Effective October 2021, Washington's Plastic Bag Ban law prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags and requires that vendors charge a fee for acceptable bags. Hot or cold prepared foods are exempt. More information. More information. Tacoma Fire Department Your event may require additional permits from Tacoma's Fire Department. Find out which permits your event must obtain by calling 253.591.5740, or by visiting the department's Operational Permits. Tacoma Police Department All event participants must adhere to applicable laws, rules and ordinances, even during street closures. Some events may require the presence of volunteer or paid traffic safety monitors. Instructions will be provided by the Tacoma Police Department Special Events Sergeant, 253.591.5932. In some cases, event applicants will be required to hire off-duty police officers to monitor the event. Police fees range starting at $75 per hour, with a minimum of three hours per officer. Tax and License Department Organizations planning events that include sales including admission or ticketing fees, food & beverage or other vending, are required to call Tax and License at the City of Tacoma at 253.591.5252. For example, a multi-vendor business venture, such as a farmer’s market where many other businesses are participating, may require a special multiple-vendor business license. Traffic and Transportation TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN: Applicants are responsible for the creation of a traffic control plan (TCP), if it applies to their event. The Tacoma Police Department Special Events Sergeant will consult with the applicant to determine the safest street closure, right-of-way barricade, and/or other key pedestrian and vehicular changes. TCPs are submitted by the applicant to the City and are reviewed and approved by the Traffic Engineer. Right-of-way includes the traveled portion of public streets and alleys, including the bordering area such as sidewalks, planted areas, traffic circles, and medians. Barricades and no parking signs are not provided by the City. Link to resources. Samples of TCPs can be found here. TRANSIT Organizers with events that impact bus transportation routes will be contacted by the appropriate agency including Pierce Transit or Sound Transit.
REQUIREMENTS All applications are subject to internal department and external agency review to assess and make recommendations. Final issuance of a permit is subject to review, insurance provision, and payment of application fee. Applicants understand that applications may be denied processing for lack of information, conflict of interest, or conflict with other established events. Please review the additional information on minimum requirements and resources for events below. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to event. Constitutionally-protected activities also require a permit, which should be submitted at least seven days prior to event for review and issuance of permit.

Requirements

All applications are subject to internal department and external agency review to assess and make recommendations. Final issuance of a permit is subject to review, insurance provision, and payment of application fee.  Applicants understand that applications may be denied processing for lack of information, conflict of interest, or conflict with other established events. Please review the additional information on minimum requirements and resources for events below. 

Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to event. Constitutionally-protected activities also require a permit, which should be submitted at least seven days prior to event for review and issuance of permit.  

FAQ

  • Depending on the size and location of the event, portable restrooms, trash and recycling receptacles may be required. The City does not provide portable restrooms.

    Trash and recycling containers can be provided by the City’s Solid Waste department for a delivery and dumping fee.

    Environmental Services may provide in-kind support for non-profit organizations, receiving a city sponsorship, for services such as garbage, recycling and portable toilets through the Green Events Program. Visit the Green Event & ES Event Support page for more information. Find out more by calling 253.591.5172.

  • Event producers are required to obtain any necessary permits to sell food and beverage that may be required by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and alcohol from the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

    Events held in City-managed public parks do not allow alcoholic beverage consumption. Some Metro Parks-managed facilities will allow alcohol service with a special use permit. Alcohol sales will require additional security and/or off-duty Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers, as determined by TPD’s Special Events Sergeant at 253.591.5932.

    Sales of food and alcohol may require a business license. Contact Tax and License at 253.591.5252.

  • For most events, the event organizer must possess or obtain comprehensive general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured in a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000. The certificate of insurance must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event.

    Block parties within residentially-zoned areas are not required to provide an insurance certificate.

  • For events using a park or a structure operated by Metro Parks, event organizers will contact Metro Parks directly to reserve the space.

    The Foss Waterway Owners Association currently issues special events permits for the Esplanade properties. Call 253.985.3812 for information.

    For further assistance identifying a particular park’s ownership, call the Special Events Office at 253.573.2523.

  • Applicants and organizers must comply with local noise laws. Unreasonable noise (including music) that is offensive to others may be required by law to cease during the event. Questions and further information about noise abatement should be directed to Craig Kuntz, Planning & Development Services Building Inspector at ckuntz@cityoftacoma.org, 253.594.7820.

  • Thorough notification of neighboring community within a reasonable radius will be conducted by the Special Events Office. A reasonable radius will be determined by the permitting authority based on the event size and impact to the surrounding area. Factors may include timing or length of the event, event footprint, community impacts (including sound, parking and traffic patterns), and pre and post-event activities.

    Sample Letter

  • Application fees vary based on attendance and whether the event is produced by a for-profit or non-profit entity. Additional costs may also be assessed, which include police services, waste management, and additional permits such as street occupancy or barricades. Fee Schedule.

  • For temporary food establishment rules and regulations, and how they apply for permits, contact the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at 253.649.1703.

  • Event organizers are encouraged to focus on sustainability when creating their event plans. The City’s Green Event Program encourages actions like walking or biking to an event, or the donation of excess food after the event to contribute to Tacoma’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Events that achieve Green Event Certification may be eligible for sponsorship of services such as garbage, recycling, and portable toilets. Events with more than 1,000 participants and events hosted by the City of Tacoma are required to participate in the Green Event Program. The City’s goal is to foster sustainable events with minimal impact on the environment. Learn more about the Green Event Program, including opportunities for in-kind event support, by visiting the Green Event & ES Event Support page.

    Disposable Plastic Bags: Any organization, including street fair and festival vendors, that sells or provides merchandise, goods or materials, may not provide thin plastic checkout bags (less than 2.25 mils) and must collect a pass-through fee on recycled paper and other retailer provided checkout bags. Effective October 2021, Washington's Plastic Bag Ban law prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags and requires that vendors charge a fee for acceptable bags. Hot or cold prepared foods are exempt. More information.

  • Your event may require additional permits from Tacoma's Fire Department. Find out which permits your event must obtain by calling 253.591.5740, or by visiting the department's Operational Permits.

  • All event participants must adhere to applicable laws, rules and ordinances, even during street closures. Some events may require the presence of volunteer or paid traffic safety monitors. Instructions will be provided by the Tacoma Police Department Special Events Sergeant, 253.591.5932.

    In some cases, event applicants will be required to hire off-duty police officers to monitor the event. Police fees range starting at $105 per hour, with a minimum of four hours per officer.

  • Organizations planning events that include sales including admission or ticketing fees, food & beverage or other vending, are required to call Tax and License at the City of Tacoma at 253.591.5252. For example, a multi-vendor business venture, such as a farmer’s market where many other businesses are participating, may require a special multiple-vendor business license.

  • TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN:

    Applicants are responsible for the creation of a traffic control plan (TCP), if it applies to their event. The Tacoma Police Department Special Events Sergeant will consult with the applicant to determine the safest street closure, right-of-way barricade, and/or other key pedestrian and vehicular changes. TCPs are submitted by the applicant to the City and are reviewed and approved by the Traffic Engineer.

    Right-of-way includes the traveled portion of public streets and alleys, including the bordering area such as sidewalks, planted areas, traffic circles, and medians.

    Barricades and no parking signs are not provided by the City. Link to resources.

    Samples of TCPs can be found here.

  • Organizers with events that impact bus transportation routes will be contacted by the appropriate agency including Pierce Transit or Sound Transit.

WELCOME TO TACOMA! To follow is information to get started producing an event. Begin by reviewing these documents and feel free to reach out. We are glad you are here and Special Events staff are here to help navigate the permitting and planning process. Contact Kala Dralle, Permitting Authority, at 253.573.2523 or kdralle@tacomavenues.org. Special events can include concerts, parades, festivals, races, block parties, constitutionally-protected activities, and many more types of gatherings. A Special Event Permit is required when one or more of the following applies: More than 50 individuals gather for an event activity. A road or lane closure, whether a full or a rolling closure. Use of any public right-of-way or City-owned park for event activity. Use of public parking spaces for uses other than parking a vehicle. Curbside food truck operation in a non-designated location. For full detail on permitting and to prepare to apply for a permit, download the Special Event Tip Sheet. View a sample public mailer. REQUIREMENTS All applications are subject to internal department and external agency review to assess and make recommendations. Final issuance of a permit is subject to review, insurance provision, and payment of application fee. Applicants understand that applications may be denied processing for lack of information, conflict of interest, or conflict with other established events. Please review the additional information on minimum requirements and resources for events below. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to event. Constitutionally-protected activities also require a permit, which should be submitted at least seven days prior to event for review and issuance of permit. FAQ Environmental Services Depending on the size and location of the event, portable restrooms, trash and recycling receptacles may be required. The City does not provide portable restrooms. Trash and recycling containers can be provided by the City’s Solid Waste department for a delivery and dumping fee. Environmental Services may provide in-kind support for non-profit organizations, receiving a city sponsorship, for services such as garbage, recycling and portable toilets through the Green Events Program. Visit the Green Event & ES Event Support page for more information. Find out more by calling 253.591.5172. Food & Beverage Event producers are required to obtain any necessary permits to sell food and beverage that may be required by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and alcohol from the Washington State Liquor Control Board. Events held in City-managed public parks do not allow alcoholic beverage consumption. Some Metro Parks-managed facilities will allow alcohol service with a special use permit. Alcohol sales will require additional security and/or off-duty Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers, as determined by TPD’s Special Events Sergeant at 253.591.5932. Sales of food and alcohol may require a business license. Contact Tax and License at 253.591.5252. Insurance For most events, the event organizer must possess or obtain comprehensive general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured in a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000. The certificate of insurance must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event. Block parties within residentially-zoned areas are not required to provide an insurance certificate. Locations For events using a park or a structure operated by Metro Parks, event organizers will contact Metro Parks directly to reserve the space. The Foss Waterway Owners Association currently issues special events permits for the Esplanade properties. Call 253.985.3812 for information. For further assistance identifying a particular park’s ownership, call the Special Events Office at 253.573.2523. Noise Abatement Applicants and organizers must comply with local noise laws. Unreasonable noise (including music) that is offensive to others may be required by law to cease during the event. Questions and further information about noise abatement should be directed to Craig Kuntz, Planning & Development Services Building Inspector at ckuntz@cityoftacoma.org, 253.594.7820. Notification Thorough notification of neighboring community within a reasonable radius will be conducted by the Special Events Office. A reasonable radius will be determined by the permitting authority based on the event size and impact to the surrounding area. Factors may include timing or length of the event, event footprint, community impacts (including sound, parking and traffic patterns), and pre and post-event activities. Permit Fees Application fees vary based on attendance and whether the event is produced by a for-profit or non-profit entity. Additional costs may also be assessed, which include police services, waste management, and additional permits such as street occupancy or barricades. Fee Schedule. Public Health For temporary food establishment rules and regulations, and how they apply for permits, contact the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at 253.649.1703. Sustainability Event organizers are encouraged to focus on sustainability when creating their event plans. The City’s Green Event Program encourages actions like walking or biking to an event, or the donation of excess food after the event to contribute to Tacoma’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Events that achieve Green Event Certification may be eligible for sponsorship of services such as garbage, recycling, and portable toilets. Events with more than 1,000 participants and events hosted by the City of Tacoma are required to participate in the Green Event Program. The City’s goal is to foster sustainable events with minimal impact on the environment. Learn more about the Green Event Program, including opportunities for in-kind event support, by visiting the Green Event & ES Event Support page. Disposable Plastic Bags: Any organization, including street fair and festival vendors, that sells or provides merchandise, goods or materials, may not provide thin plastic checkout bags (less than 2.25 mils) and must collect a pass-through fee on recycled paper and other retailer provided checkout bags. Effective October 2021, Washington's Plastic Bag Ban law prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags and requires that vendors charge a fee for acceptable bags. Hot or cold prepared foods are exempt. More information. Tacoma Fire Department Your event may require additional permits from Tacoma's Fire Department. Find out which permits your event must obtain by calling 253.591.5740, or by visiting the department's Operational Permits. Tacoma Police Department All event participants must adhere to applicable laws, rules and ordinances, even during street closures. Some events may require the presence of volunteer or paid traffic safety monitors. Instructions will be provided by the Tacoma Police Department Special Events Sergeant, 253.591.5932. In some cases, event applicants will be required to hire off-duty police officers to monitor the event. Police fees range starting at $75 per hour, with a minimum of three hours per officer. Tax and License Department Organizations planning events that include sales including admission or ticketing fees, food & beverage or other vending, are required to call Tax and License at the City of Tacoma at 253.591.5252. For example, a multi-vendor business venture, such as a farmer’s market where many other businesses are participating, may require a special multiple-vendor business license. \ Traffic and Transportation Applicants are responsible for the creation of a traffic control plan (TCP), if it applies to their event. The Tacoma Police Department Special Events Sergeant will consult with the applicant to determine the safest street closure, right-of-way barricade, and/or other key pedestrian and vehicular changes. TCPs are submitted by the applicant to the City and are reviewed and approved by the Traffic Engineer. Right-of-way includes the traveled portion of public streets and alleys, including the bordering area such as sidewalks, planted areas, traffic circles, and medians. Barricades and no parking signs are not provided by the City. Link to resources. Samples of TCPs can be found here. Transit Organizers with events that impact bus transportation routes will be contacted by the appropriate agency including Pierce Transit or Sound Transit.