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City of Bellevue, WA Community Development
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Plan an Event in Bellevue

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Public Space and Grand Connection

  • Grand Connection Crossing
  • Redevelopment of City-Owned Properties
  • Street Eats (Food Trucks)
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Community Programming Fund
  • Plan an Event

Thank you for organizing an outdoor event or program in Bellevue!

In line with our vision to welcome the world, we want to help event organizers have a high-quality and straightforward experience. This tool is designed to help organizers of outdoor events and programs determine whether they need permits and how to apply for them. Depending on your event, you will be directed to the appropriate contacts and specific information you need. 

  • For additional support, the city and its partners provide grants to support festivals, events and community programs. Learn more below about available programs.
  • If you are planning to host an event related to the World Cup in Seattle this summer, we can offer guidance regarding city permits and FIFA licenses.
  • If you want to get a flavor of community events in Bellevue, the city calendar has a selection of programs we fund or permit.

What permits might I need for my program?

Special Event

Do you anticipate that your event will have more than 500 people?

Information message

You will likely be required to apply for a Special Event permit. Please refer to the Special Event Permits page for more information.

Park Use

Would you like your event to take place in a Bellevue park?

Information message

Bellevue's Parks and Community Services Department provides guidelines to host events in city parks. Please send an email to ParkRental@Bellevuewa.gov or refer the Parks Rentals & Permits page for more information.

Transportation ROW

Would you like your event to be fully or partially held on a public street?
How are you anticipating using public streets for your event?

Information message

You will likely be required to apply for a Special Event permit. Please refer to the Special Event Permits page for more information. 

Information message

You may need to apply for a Right of Way Permit. Please email rightofwayuse@bellevuewa.gov for more information.

You may also need to apply for certain operational permits for health & safety reasons. Please refer to the prompts below.

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You will need to apply for a Block Party Permit. Please refer to the Bellevue Block Parties webpage for more information.

City Hall Plaza

Would you like your event to take place at City Hall Plaza?

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Please email cityhallevents@bellevuewa.gov for more information. You may also refer to the City Hall Meeting and Event Space webpage.

Private Plaza

Would you like your event to take place on privately held property?

Information message

Although a Special Event Permit from the City is not needed, you may need to submit operational permits for Fire Safety and Health purposes. Please see prompts below for additional guidance.

Information message

You have answered "no" to all preceding questions. Please contact the Public Space Team to determine next steps.

Status message

Based on your answers above, you may need to apply for specific operational permits to host your event. The following prompts below provide guidance for specific operational permits that may be needed for your event elements. Please submit any needed operational permits to the Fire Prevention Team.

Category

Tents and Canopies

Will you need temporary weather protection (i.e. canopies) for your event?

Amplified Sound

Do you plan to use amplified sound, such as microphones or speakers, at your event?

Outdoor Heaters

Will you have outdoor heaters for your event?
If yes - what will the source of your heat be?

Generators/Electricity

Will you need electricity for your event?
Are you using generators?
Is your electricity limited to plugging things directly into the generator's built-in outlets? I.e. power tools, sound systems, lights

Food Trucks/Vendor

Will you have food vendors at your event?
Will you have food trucks for your event?
To confirm, will your event be held in a Bellevue park?
To confirm, will your event be held on City Hall Plaza?
To confirm, will your event be held on a privately owned plaza?

Temp Stages

Will you have food vendors in temporary tent structures?
Will you have a temporary stage for your event?

Status message

You have answered "no" to all. Please contact the Public Space Team to determine next steps.

Permit/Document Requirements

Permit/Document Requirements

Tents and Canopies

A Fire Operational Permit may be needed. Read more information about Tents and Canopies. 

You will not need a permit if:

  • Tents and membrane structures have an area less than 400 square feet. 
  • Multiple canopy arrangements (700 sf or less) that are set 12 feet apart from each other.
  • Depending on your event, you may still need a fire inspection even if you don't need a permit. Please email fire_prevention@bellevuewa.gov to confirm.

You will need to apply for a Fire Operational Permit if your event has the following:

  • Tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 400 square feet.
  • Canopies with an aggregate area of individual canopies exceeding 700 square feet when placed side by side without separation.

Amplified Sound

Only applies to non-Parks locations.

You do not need a permit if:

  • The noise from your event is not audible across a property boundary.
  • The noise cannot be heard beyond 75 feet from the source.

You will need a permit if:

  • The noise from your event carries beyond a property boundary, or if it can be heard beyond 75 feet from the source.
  • To use amplified sound, apply for a Noise Exemption Permit at least two weeks before your event or program.

Outdoor Heaters

Fire operational permit may be required. Please contact fire_prevention@bellevuewa.gov to confirm. More information on other heating sources can be found on the Temporary Heating info page.

Electric

Refer to the Temporary Heating information handout (F-77) for more information.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Refer to the Temporary Heating information handout (F-77) for more information.

Propane

Refer to the Temporary Heating information handout (F-77) for more information.

Generators / Electricity

Generators/Electricity

Send an email to MEPreview@bellevuewa.gov to receive guidance for your specific non-generator electricity needs.

An electrical permit is likely not required - however, it is recommended to send an email to MEPreview@bellevuewa.gov to confirm.

An electrical permit may be needed. Permits may be obtained through MyBuildingPermit.com. Send your questions and anticipated electrical needs to MEPreview@bellevuewa.gov.

Food Trucks / Vendor

Food Trucks/Vendor

Before your event, secure and submit the following documents to the Parks Scheduling Office at parkrental@bellevuewa.gov.

Certificate of Insurance: A Certificate of Insurance must be provided listing the City of Bellevue, its officials, employees, and volunteers, PO Box 90012, Bellevue, WA 98009-9012, as the Certificate Holder and naming the City as an Additional Insured. Minimum required coverage includes General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Automobile Liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 is required for any company vehicle access beyond the parking lot.

Business Registration: A valid Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is required. If applicable based on business activities, the vendor must also register for and obtain a City of Bellevue business license.

Health Department Permit: A valid Health Department food business permit must be maintained.

Food Truck Inspection: A current Washington State Association of Fire Marshals regional food truck inspection must be provided.

Fire Department Operational Permit: A current Fire Department operational permit issued by any fire agency within Washington State is required.

Restroom Access (if applicable): Where applicable, proof of access to lavatories and hand-washing facilities consistent with King County Health requirements must be provided through a Use of Restroom Agreement.

Secure the following documents below and apply for a Right-of-Way permit. Contact Rightofwayuse@bellevuewa.gov for more information.

Certificate of Insurance: A Certificate of Insurance must be provided listing the City of Bellevue, its officials, employees, and volunteers, PO Box 90012, Bellevue, WA 98009-9012, as the Certificate Holder and naming the City as an Additional Insured. Minimum required coverage includes General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Automobile Liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 is required for any company vehicle access beyond the parking lot.

Business Registration: A valid Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number is required. If applicable based on business activities, the vendor must also register for and obtain a City of Bellevue business license.

Health Department Permit: A valid Health Department food business permit must be maintained.

Food Truck Inspection: A current Washington State Association of Fire Marshals regional food truck inspection must be provided.

Fire Department Operational Permit: A current Fire Department operational permit issued by any fire agency within Washington State is required.

Restroom Access (if applicable): Where applicable, proof of access to lavatories and hand-washing facilities consistent with King County Health requirements must be provided through a Use of Restroom Agreement.

A Fire Operational Permit and a Washington State Fire Marshals Food Truck Inspection Checklist may be needed to host a food truck on a private plaza to ensure public safety. Please contact fire_prevention@bellevuewa.gov for more information.

Although your event is held on private property, all food trucks must abide by King County Public Health requirements. Please refer to the King County Public Health webpage for more information.

Please contact the City of Bellevue Public Space Team to determine requirements for your food truck operation.

See Bellevue's Mobile Food Vending handout for more information.

Temporary Stages

You do not need a stage permit if:

  • The stage area is under 400 sf.

You will need a stage permit if:

  • The stage area is over 400 sf.
  • Buildings on the stage are over 5-ft 9-in tall (i.e. trusses).

Apply for a stage permit on MyBuildingPermit.com - please contact permits@bellevuewa.gov for more information.

We’ll email you a copy of this page.

Resources for Organizers

Event Planning Resources

  • Apply for a Special Events Permit: For large events with 500 or more people, or which require city services or support.
  • Special Events Planning Guide: A guide for large events, but also a helpful resource for events of all scales and sizes.
  • World Cup Watch Party Playbook: Critical guidance for events planning to screen live FIFA World Cup games.

Grant Opportunities

  • Community Programming Fund: Grants for small-scale activity series, markets and other programs that activate outdoor public spaces.
  • Arts Grants: Project-based annual grants for arts and culture programming. Sustained support for arts and cultural organizations serving Bellevue residents.
  • Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls: Grants for cultural organizations and nonprofits planning cross-cultural events and experiences.
  • Bellevue Festivals and Events Incubator: Grants for larger events, festivals and experiences which will draw overnight visitors.

Contact

Not finding what you need? Reach out to our Public Space team for assistance.

Telephone
425-452-4270
Email
publicspace@bellevuewa.gov

Reasonable Accommodation

For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-6800 (voice) or email servicefirst@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov.

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