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A vibrant Seattle through transportation excellence Grace Crunican, Director

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Street Use Home
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Special Activities/Events
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Street Use Permits for Special Activities

To download a PDF of the Client Assistance Memo which details how to get a street use permit for your special event, click here

Street Fairs, Farmer’s Markets and Sidewalk Sales

These and many other activities add charm and enliven our neighborhoods and streetscapes. But what would happen in an emergency if a street were closed? A street use permit for a special activity provides the necessary notification to various public safety departments and authorizes the temporary use of public right-of-way.

Fees, Insurance and other Requirements

The Permit Application

SDOT issues street use permits for any activity that temporarily closes a street or sidewalk, but excludes escorted processions, parades, or any activity in which Police Department personnel are required. Conditions of the Street Use permit do not allow non-movable items to be erected in the street area for the activity.

The Street Use Permit Counter is located on the 23rd Floor of Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Avenue. The counter's operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Fill out the application to apply for a Special Activity Street Use Permit. When completing the form - under ‘Work Description’ check the box for ‘Street Barricading, Special Activities (3A)’ and include the following information:

  1. Estimated number of people you expect to attend.
  2. Date of your event.
  3. Beginning and ending times.
  4. 4. A site plan which shows the street you want to close.
  5. Identify the neighborhood group or organization that is sponsoring the event.
  6. Insurance Documentation with a minimum liability of $1,000,000 and the City as an additional insured. See CAM 2102 for more information

Your application must be received at least 28 days before your event.

Special Events Description

Neighborhood Block Parties are defined as events that temporarily close a non-arterial street and are applied for and attended by people living along the particular block. Families and close friends can also be invited. Special Activities are different from Neighborhood Block Parties in that they are larger and open to the general public.

During the special activity, “STREET CLOSED” signs and barricades are required. These signs must meet SDOT requirements and be supplied by the group or person applying for the street or sidewalk closure permit. For specific details, you can link to the Seattle Traffic Control Manual webpage. The Neighborhood Block Party closure signs would not be acceptable for the special activity closure.

The fee for Special Activity permits is $101.00 plus a $75.00 inspection fee for a total of $176.00 per event. DO NOT send in payment with your application. Fees are collected at the time the permit is issued and can be made with a credit card or a check payable to the City of Seattle.

To submit your application:

To download the application for your special event, click here

Mail:
SDOT – Street Use Division, Attn: Annual Permits
P.O. Box # 34996
Seattle, WA 98124-4996
Fax: Attn: Annual Permits
(206) 684-5347

Email: AnnualPermits@Seattle.gov

If you have questions,

Email: AnnualPermits@Seattle.gov or call: (206) 684-5267

Special Events Permits

The Special Events Committee reviews, coordinates, and issue permits for events that anticipate attendance of 300 or more people, events that end after dark, requires the assistance of the Seattle Police Department, or requires the closure of an arterial street.

If your event has one or more of these elements, the permit requirements and procedures are different the Street Use Special Activities permit. Contact the chairperson of the Special Events Committee to learn more:

Virginia Swanson
Seattle Parks Department
860 Terry Avenue N.
Seattle , WA 98109
Phone: (206) 684-8017
Fax: (206) 684-4853
E-mail: Virginia.Swanson@seattle.gov

Valet Parking associated with a special event requires a separate valet parking permit. The valet parking company applies for the valet parking permit through the Special Events Committee office.


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