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1. What is a Special Event?

A "special event" is defined as any activity including, but not limited to: a fair, festival, concert, demonstration, rally, performance, show, parade, run/walk/cycle, or other publicly attended activity, entertainment or celebration which is held in whole or in part upon publicly owned property, streets, sidewalks, trails, walkways or on other public rights-of-way, or if occurring on private property, will nevertheless affect, impact or interfere with the standard, ordinary and normal use of public property by the general public within the vicinity of such event and/or requires the use of city services. The Special Event Permit process enables the City of Redmond to schedule adequate services such as police escorts, traffic control, sanitation, electrical support or other needs required to ensure a safe and successful event.

2. How Much Does it Cost?

The $75.00 non-refundable application fee is due after submitting your permit application to the Parks & Recreation Department. The special event permit fees are based on the hours of use and expected attendance. Click to see the full Council approved fee schedule. Fees significantly increase if application is received less than 90 days prior to the event, so please submit early. 

Depending on your event needs there may be additional costs charged by the City of Redmond, such as providing services to support the event. This would normally include services such as police escorts, traffic control, sanitation, electrical support, etc.

3. How Long Does it Take?

The City requires an application for a Special Event Permit to be submitted at least 90 days prior to the event. The application will be routed through eight City departments for approval. They may make approvals with a note, a condition to the approval, or a requirement to the approval. The permit coordinator will manage any communication needed for approvals with the applicant.

4. What are the reasons for denying a Special Event Permit?

The permit will be denied if the event: 

• Disrupts traffic beyond practical solutions 
• Interferes with access to fire stations and/or fire hydrants 
• Causes undue hardship to surrounding businesses or residents 
• Requires the diversion of public employees such that service is denied to City residents
• The size and scope of the event are not suitable to the location requested and would create an unsafe environment or fail to conform to the requirements of law or established city policy 
• If the applicant fails to provide complete and accurate information, sufficient notice, or to comply with the terms of the permit including the remittance of all fees, insurance, and agreements

5. What can I do if I feel that my permit has been unfairly denied?

You may appeal the denial to the Director of Parks, and if still dissatisfied, to the Redmond City Council.