Apply for a Community Event permit

Update 10/17/2022: Permit fees will be coming back online and are remaining at our 2019 rates. They will be effective for all events after January 1, 2023, regardless of when the application is received. For the remainder of 2022, only fees for application processing and ticketed events in the right-of-way apply. Please see the fee table below. If you have any questions, please reach out to pbotcommunityevent@portlandoregon.gov

Overview

Community Event permits let businesses, community organizations, or nonprofits use the street and/or sidewalk to host pop-up events lasting 1-2 days. Community events help to build resiliency by strengthening community connections, showcasing community identity, bolstering local economies, and supporting microenterprises.

These permits are handled by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). Other things to keep in mind: 

• Events must be free and open to the public. Ticketed events must have tickets available for sale to the general public.   

• A 12-foot unobstructed emergency lane is required for all events in the roadway. This lane is often used as a pedestrian path through the event.  

• Insurance is required.  Here are the City of Portland insurance requirements for permits in the public right-of-way. 

• All application materials must be received at least 20 business days before your event. There will be no exceptions. Please allow as much lead time as possible to ensure you will get your permit before your event.

• All events must be non-political.

• Events must allow non-participating people to pass through safely.

• The application fee is $100. A $150 expedited fee is added to applications received less than 20 business days in advance of the event date – an expedited permit may NOT be an option. Please call or email to check availability. 

If you need to use the right-of-way for ongoing, day-to-day business, check out the Healthy Businesses program, designed to give Portland businesses and organizations the space they need to serve their neighbors, customers, and community. For more information visit our page linked below:

What is the Healthy Businesses permit? 

Apply for a Community Event permit 

To apply for our Community Event permit, use our online form here: 

Community Event application form  

Application takes 10-15 minutes to fill out. Due to a high volume of requests, we estimate 5-10 business days to respond. Approval time varies. 

The application must be submitted to PBOT at least 20 business days prior to your event. Keep in mind, you may have to make corrections and resubmit items for approval. Please allow as much lead time as possible to ensure you will get your permit before your event. 

Permit requirements 

This section outlines all the requirements for a Community Event permit. Not everything needs to be finalized before you apply. However, the application must be submitted no less than 20 business days before the event date.

Keep in mind, you may have to make corrections and resubmit items for approval. Please allow as much lead time as possible to ensure you will get your permit before your event. 

Site plan 

Provide a site plan showing the section of right-of-way you’ll be using and what will be placed in the closure. In your site plan, be sure to show: 

• Street names, sidewalks, and other landmarks.  

• The required 12-foot-wide emergency lane you must maintain at all times for emergency vehicles. Event attendees and pedestrians are allowed in the emergency lane during the event, but no equipment or structures.   

• All objects and equipment in the closure such as chairs, tables, tents, merchandise, etc. 

• Fencing or barriers that define or contain you event space.   

Notification and event flyers 

You are required to notify all businesses and residents adjacent to the street closure and submit your flyer and tracking forms to PBOT. Be sure to talk to neighbors and area businesses so you know what you will need to plan for in terms of access. Doing this kind of outreach is also a great way to form partnerships, pool resources, and get the community excited about your event. 

Here is a template for an event flyer to work from, but feel free to create your own with the event date and times, event name, and contact information:  

Here is a template for a notification tracking form:  

When you’ve completed your notifications, email your event flyer and tracking form to PBOTcommunityevent@portlandoregon.gov.   

Insurance 

Insurance is required for hosting events in the public right-of-way. The city requires a certificate of liability insurance AND an additional insured endorsement. You can review the rules on the page below:

Insurance and bond requirements for permits in the public right-of-way 

Email insurance documents to insurance@portlandoregon.gov  

Additional permits 

Additional permits may be required from other city or state agencies for selling or serving alcohol, having amplified sound or live music, or for certain types of fencing. Permit instructions can be found here: 

• Selling or serving alcohol? Visit the Office of Community & Civic Life’s Apply for a Temporary Liquor License page for instructions.   

• Having amplified sound or live music? Visit the Office of Community & Civic Life’s Apply for a Noise Code Variance for instructions.  

• Using barriers, fencing, or tents over 700 square feet? Visit the Portland Fire & Rescue permit forms page for required permits and instructions. 

Next Steps

• After you submit your application and site plan, PBOT will create a traffic control plan specific to your event. This plan outlines what signage and barricades are required for you to safely detour traffic. Permit holders are responsible for obtaining and placing traffic control devices, as well as “no parking” signs. Review PBOT’s Basic traffic control devices and vendors page for more information. 
• PBOT staff will contact you with a link to pay the fee online. Review the permit fees below. Payment is accepted online and in person (please bring email with you): 1900 SW 4th Ave, Development Services Center. Hours: 8am-4pm/Monday-Wednesday, Friday and 8am-noon on Thursdays.
• The City does not provide traffic control devices. You will be responsible for obtaining the barricades and other devices on the traffic control plan. For more information about where to rent barricades please go to our Basic traffic control devices and vendors webpage. 
• After payment, the permit, printable no parking labels (if outside the metered district), and traffic control plan will be emailed to you. No Parking signs will only be enforceable 72 hours after PBOT Parking Enforcement verifies they are installed correctly. If you wish to have enforcement on the day of the event, please contact PBOT Parking Enforcement to request an inspection. Verification fees apply and are separate from the Community Event fees. Please visit the Non-Metered Parking Reservation overview page.

Permit Fees

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