Learn About Community Event Permits

During the upcoming construction closures of I-5 from September 11th through October 19, we are anticipating increased traffic volumes on City streets and significant congestion along specific routes. Any requests for lane or street closures on those streets will require additional review and may need to be scheduled outside of the I-5 closure dates.

What's New?

Is your event inside of this area? If so, you may be eligible for a Community Event fee waiver.

View full size image of Map of highlighted area of downtown with I-405 loop.

In an effort to encourage more activation and placemaking, PBOT is waiving Community Event fees for events in the indicated area from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Reach out to Community Event staff for more information.

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.

Please note: 

• All applications must be received at least 45 calendar days before your event, but we advise submitting your application as far as 3 months in advance of your event. All required materials are due 14 days after application submission. Please allow as much lead time as possible to ensure you will get your permit before your event.
• In some unique cases, applications received within 45 days of event may be expedited and a $150 expedited fee may be added to your application. 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 Outdoor Dining 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 Outdoor Dining permit? 

Apply for a Community Event Permit 

To apply for our Community Event Permit, please visit our Apply for a Community Event Permit page by clicking below. Thank you!

Apply For a Community Event Permit  

The application must be submitted to PBOT at least 45 calendar days prior to your event but we advise submitting your application up to three months before your event to ensure proper review. 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 45 calendar days before the event date. All materials are due 14 days after application submission.

General Requirements 

• Events must be free and open to the public. Ticketed events must have tickets available for sale to the general public.
• Events must allow non-participating people to pass through safely.
• The location of the event must be relevant to the business or non-profit partner.  
• If a street painting is part of your event, the application will collect information regarding design, placement and installation.

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 that will be maintained at all times for emergency vehicles. Event attendees and pedestrians are allowed in the emergency lane during the event, but equipment and structures are not.
• All objects and equipment in the closure such as chairs, tables, tents, merchandise, etc. 
• Fencing or barriers that define or contain your event space.  

Please view an example site plan below: 

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 include in your site plan to ensure proper access for all. 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 notification tracking form:  

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:   

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 Bureau of Development Service's Apply for a Temporary Liquor License page for instructions.  
• Having amplified sound or live music? Visit the Bureau of Development Service's Apply for a Noise Code Variance page for instructions.  
• Using barriers, fencing, or tents over 700 square feet? Visit the Portland Fire & Rescue permit forms page for required permits and instructions. 
• Installing a street painting? Visit Learn about Street and Structure Paintings to review guidelines for design and installation. Please note that a street painting requires two permits; one for the painting itself and one for the street closure to safely install the painting. In some cases, a community event permit is necessary. 

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 on non-metered streets. 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: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm.
• 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. If you wish to have enforcement on the day of the event, please contact PBOT Parking Enforcement to request an inspection. No Parking Signs will only be enforceable 72 hours after PBOT Parking Enforcement verifies they are installed correctly. Verification fees apply and are separate from the community event fees. Please visit the Non-Metered Parking Reservation overview page.

Permit Fees

To view the Community Event fee table, please visit the link below. 

Please note that the fee table does not show every possible community event fee. Certain uncommon event plans incur different fees. Please reach out with questions. Thank you!

FAQ

To view frequently asked questions and their answers about the community event program, please see the document below. 

To keep up to date on Community Events:

Subscribe to the Community Events newsletter

To see all that the Portland in the Streets accomplished last year, please view our 2025 Annual Report: 

View our 2025 Annual Report