Apply for a Community Event permit

Service

The Portland in the Streets team at the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) issues Community Event permits to close streets, travel lanes, sidewalks, and parking spaces for events such as farmers markets, street fairs, cultural events, fundraisers and so much more!

Application takes 5-10 minutes to fill out. All application materials must be received at least 20 business days before your event.

On this Page

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

Events must be open to the public, even ticketed events.

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. 
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.
The $100 application fee for all permit requests will be reinstated on all applications received after July 1, 2022.
There will also be a separate fee for ticketed events reinstated on applicable applications received after July 1, 2022. The fee is based on the number of attendees, as follows:
- Less than 500 attendees: $1,250
- 500-2,500 attendees: $1,875
- 2,500+ attendees: $3,000

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?

Permit requirements

This section outlines all the requirements for a Community Event permit. Not everything needs to be finalized before you apply. However, all these requirements must be completed a minimum of 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.

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. Pedestrians and other foot traffic is fine 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:

Community Event Notification Flyer Template(130.83 Kb)

Here is a template for a notification tracking form: 

Community Event - Notification tracking form(243.53 Kb)

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.

Traffic control plans

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. 