A. 
No person may occupy public right-of-way or city-owned property for a special event without a current, valid city permit for the event. As used in this chapter, a special event is an assembly or gathering of persons for entertainment, recreation, the display or sale of goods or services, or other common purpose to be undertaken by a person other than the city that may involve use or closure of public right-of-way or city-owned property, control over vehicle and pedestrian access to the special event location, use of sound amplifying devices, use of public personnel or resources for emergency response, or any combination of those elements.
B. 
A special event permit is not required for events consisting solely of rentals of park structures or sport fields.
C. 
The issuance of a special event permit confers the right to control and regulate activities within the special event venue consistent with the terms of the special event permit only.
(Ord. 19-11 §1)
A person who seeks to use public right-of-way or city property for a special event must apply for a permit on the form provided by the city and include any applicable fees. The city-provided form will require, at a minimum, the following:
A. 
The proposed date, time, place, and hours for the special event;
B. 
The area of public right-of-way or city property to be occupied for the applicant's use;
C. 
The location of any streets or intersections where the applicant proposes to restrict access by pedestrians or vehicles and a traffic control plan. In its sole discretion, the City may require the traffic control plan be prepared by a professional traffic engineer, such as when the street closure includes an intersection or otherwise has more than a de minimis impact on the street system. The traffic control plan must address likely traffic impacts resulting from the proposed special event and demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.[1] City approval is necessary prior to the City issuing a special event permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
D. 
Provisions for emergency response services for the event;
E. 
The proposed type and location of facilities for on-site food preparation and consumption and for mobile food sales, if any;
F. 
Provisions for waste disposal and for toilet facilities;
G. 
Whether there will be a fee, charge, or cost imposed for participation in the special event;
H. 
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the persons applying as organizers and the primary contact for the special event on the day of the event.
(Ord. 19-11 §1; Ord. 26-04, 2/10/2026)
The city may approve the issuance of a special events permit where compliance with the following standards is demonstrated or found to not be applicable:
A. 
The permit application provides adequate information about the event as required by TMC 7.48.030.
B. 
The proposed special event will ensure access of emergency response services to the event.
C. 
The proposed special event use will not create a significant adverse impact to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.
D. 
The location is available for use and the event will not conflict with another permitted event.
(Ord. 19-11 §1)
The city may attach any conditions to the issuance of the permit that are reasonably related to ensuring compliance with this chapter, other applicable city codes and ordinances, and protection of the public interest.
A. 
When the city determines that the proposed special event may subject the city to potential liability, the city may require the applicant to obtain appropriate liability insurance and file a certificate of insurance with the city from an insurance company acceptable to the city. The policy will name the city, its officers, agents, and employees as additional insureds. The amount of the insurance policy will be determined by the city. The policy must also contain a provision that the city will be notified at least 10 days prior to any cancellation of such insurance. The permittee must maintain the insurance for the term of the permit issued. Failure to maintain the insurance results in automatic revocation of the permit.
B. 
(Reserved)
C. 
The city may require a refundable security deposit to guarantee payment of the cost to the city to clean and restore the site if applicant fails to do so.
D. 
For street closures, the city may require the event organizer to notify residents and businesses in the surrounding area as to where and when the event is to occur. When notice is required by the city, the event organizer must inform residents and businesses in writing at least 14 days prior to the date of event and provide the city with proof that notice has been issued.
E. 
If alcohol will be sold, consumed, or possessed, the applicant must show compliance with all applicable OLCC regulations and obtain liquor liability insurance in an amount determined by the city.
F. 
As required by the city, applicant will agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the city, its elected officials, and all officers, employees or agents against any and all damages, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, costs and expenses of whatsoever nature which they or any of them may sustain by reasons of the acts, conduct or operation of the permittee, the permittee's agents, or employees in connection with the special event or approved permit.
(Ord. 19-11 §1; Ord. 26-04, 2/10/2026)
A. 
An applicant may appeal a staff decision denying a special event permit to the City Council. The applicant may initiate the appeal process by filing a notice of appeal within five business days of the date of the challenged decision.
B. 
The notice of appeal must include at least the following:
1. 
The name, contact information, and signature of the applicant.
2. 
A statement explaining why staff erred in concluding the standards in TMC 7.48.050 have not been met and identifying any evidence relied upon to support the claim of error.
3. 
An appeal fee established by resolution of the City Council.
C. 
Within seven business days after a notice of appeal is received, the staff will determine whether it contains the information necessary to process. If not, the appeal may be dismissed without review by the City Council.
D. 
A hearing on an appeal of a special events permit will be scheduled within 30 days after the notice is filed or, if after 30 days, at the next scheduled City Council meeting. The appellant will be provided notice of the appeal hearing date at least 14 days before the scheduled hearing. No additional written or oral evidence may be presented at the hearing. The City Council will make its decision based on the record, including the notice of appeal filed by the applicant. At the conclusion of the hearing, the council will affirm or reverse the decision under appeal, with or without conditions or changes.
(Ord. 19-11 §1)
Violation of the terms or conditions of a special event permit or operation of a special event without a valid permit is punishable by a fine of not more than $500.
(Ord. 19-11 §1)