Plan an Event in Bellevue

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?

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

Yes

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

Yes

Would you like your event to be fully or partially held on a public street?

Yes

How are you anticipating using public streets for your event?

My event will have attendees on public streets and will require full street closures, and/or will require support services like Police or Fire.

My event will not have attendees on public streets, but will need some use of public streets adjacent to the event location, such as temporary loading zones or food truck staging adjacent to the curb.

I want to host a neighborhood block party on my local street.

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

Yes

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

Yes

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.

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

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.

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.

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 the requirements.

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.
Block Party Resources: Information for hosting community block parties in Bellevue.

Location Guides

The city has created guides for use of specific, frequently requested locations and event types. These guides do not provide everything you need to host an event in a particular space, but are intended to provide a useful starting point for organizers. Each guide includes key considerations like anticipated permitting and traffic control costs, barricade rental needs, and a template traffic control plan (TCP).

Festival or street closure: 121st Ave NE and NE District Way (Spring District)
Festival or street closure: Main Street (Old Bellevue)
Run: 5K Route #1 (south of downtown)
Run: 5K Route #2 (west of downtown)
Parade: Parade Route #1 (Crossroads)

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.

Plan an Event in Bellevue

What permits might I need for my program?

Special Event

Park Use

Transportation ROW

City Hall Plaza

Private Plaza

Category

Tents and Canopies

Amplified Sound

Outdoor Heaters

Generators/Electricity

Food Trucks/Vendor

Temp Stages

Permit/Document Requirements

Permit/Document Requirements

Tents and Canopies

Amplified Sound

Outdoor Heaters

Electric

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Propane

Generators / Electricity

Generators/Electricity

Food Trucks / Vendor

Food Trucks/Vendor

Temporary Stages

Resources for Organizers

Event Planning Resources

Location Guides

Grant Opportunities

Contact

Reasonable Accommodation