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Special Event Permits

Events are a great part of Sumner. Some events are small enough to use existing spaces and resources. Others are large enough to require scheduling special use of City resources. We are here to help assist you to help balance the needs of your event with the resources owned by the citizens of Sumner as well as impacts your event will have on existing residents and businesses.

No Permit Necessary

  • All park spaces, including the picnic shelters, tables, barbecues, etc. are available on a first-come, first-serve basis only at no cost. Normal uses, such as birthday parties, family picnics, etc. do not require any kind of permit.
  • Events held solely on private property without use of large tents or impact to the normal use of surrounding roads or sidewalks do not require a permit.

Events that Need a Permit

You should obtain a Special Event Permit if your event is held on City property, including parks, streets, sidewalks or City parking lots; if your event changes the normal, everyday use of this space for the public and/or includes major components such as structures (City power, large tents, special tables, inflatable bounce toys, etc.), large crowds, vendors, or a band or amplified music.

Obtaining a Permit


A list of all of the permit fees and the Special Events Costs and Services is below. For a general festival-type event, here is an example of what may be required:

  • City employee(s) at the event to set up and tear down barricades to reserve the space. They may also need to be on hand during your event for further services. For a small party with no other services, the cost would be the facility rental fee plus labor costs, traffic control, extra portable restroom rentals, or any other services or equipment fees that may be applicable.
  • If there is alcohol being served, you will require a banquet permit and you will need the area fully barricaded. More info at http://liq.wa.gov/licensing/permits.
  • With any event permit application, the City of Sumner requires a minimum limit of $2,000,000 of Commercial General Liability insurance. Even though there is no building, our code requires that the “City of Sumner” needs to be the Certificate Holder and an additional insured for the City of Sumner facilities.
  • If you plan to have food vendors at the event, they will need a valid City of Sumner Business License, a Mobile Food Vendor license from TCPHD, and a minimum of $1 million per occurrence with a $2 million aggregate for general liability insurance with you named as an additional insured. You will also want to obtain proof of ongoing and completed operations coverage to protect against food-borne illnesses. Events with food vendors may also be required to provide hand-washing stations, extra portable restrooms, and a waste management plan. This information is not necessary at the time of application, but once your special event permit application is approved, they will need to be uploaded in the portal at least 30 days before the event for the vendors to be present at your event.
  • A safety plan for a special event permit application will also need to be included at the time of application. The safety plan should include details such as crowd control, emergency procedures, first aid services, fire safety measures, security personnel, and any potential hazards specific to the event. Anyone applying for an event permit should also consider outlining evacuation routes, communication plans, special accommodations for vulnerable populations, and compliance with local health and safety regulations.
  • A pre-event meeting with the event applicant and the City of Sumner staff will be held 30 days prior to the event to go over things like the safety and traffic control plans, layout of the event, power connections, or to answer follow-up questions.

Applications must be submitted at least 60 days in advance via our online portal. To apply for a special event permit, you must have the following at the time of application:

  • Map of the Event
  • Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate
  • Safety Plan
  • Completed Application Form
  • Completed and Signed Agreement

Other forms you may need to complete at the time of application are:

  • Street Banner: Banner Supplement Application
  • Inflatables: Air Supported Structure Supplement Application
  • Parades: Parade Supplement Application
Apply for a Special Event Permit Online Here
SPECIAL EVENT COSTS & SERVICES
Labor Costs– Prices listed in this section do not reflect permit costs, facility rentals, or any other costs associated with services or rental of equipment. Fees below to be paid for by the applicant at 50%.

Standard Police Officer Rates (1 hour min.)

$81.00 per hour

Overtime Police Officer Rates (3 hour min.)

$123.00 per hour

Standard Public Works Rates (1 hour min.)

$57.00 per hour

Overtime Public Works Rates (3 hour min. after regular hours and on

Saturdays)

$86.00 per hour

Double-time Public Works Rates (4 hour min. on Sundays and holidays)

$114.00 per hour

Main St. Public Restroom Cleaning Rates (1 hour min.)

$42.00 per hour

Overtime Main St. Public Restroom Cleaning Rates (3 hour min.)

$63.00 per hour
Facility Rental– Prices listed in this section do not reflect labor, barricade rentals, traffic control by Sumner Police Department, or any other costs or services affiliated with the rental of the facility.  Fees below to be paid for by the applicant at 100%.
City of Sumner Parking Lots:
#1- Mount Hood (Between North St. & Main St.)
#2- Delta Queen (off North St.)
#3- King Alfred (Ryan Ave. & North St.)
#4- Golden Ducat (Main St.)
#5- Cheerfulness (Main St. & Ryan Ave.),
#6- City of Sumner Employee Parking Lot* (Alder Ave. & Academy) *Available after City Hall hours only		 $50.00 each per day
Rhubarb Alley $50.00 per day
Roads or Streets: Kincaid Ave. between Maple & Main, Cherry Ave between Maple & Main, Main Street—Kincaid Ave to Alder Ave, Main Street—Alder Ave to Ryan Ave, Bridge St. bridge, or other $50.00 each per day
Public Parks: Loyalty Park, Heritage Park (without street closures), Rainier View Park, Ryan House Lawn or other $50.00 each per day
Equipment/Services– Prices listed in this section do not reflect permit costs, labor, facility rentals, traffic control by Sumner Police Department, or any other costs affiliated with services or rental of equipment. Fees below to be paid for by the applicant at 100%.
Street Sweeping (Please note: The City of Sumner may require street sweeping for large scale events or parades) $100.00 per hour
Extra Barricades $5.00 each
Connection to a City power box $10.00 per day
Access to City water (Available at #5 Main & Ryan parking lot only) $10.00 per day
Gray Water Dump Site $10.00 per day
Adjustments to Lock/Unlock Public Restrooms After Regular Hours $25.00 per event
Requests To Adjust Music on City Sound System $25.00 per event
Promotional Banner– The banner hanging fee includes labor and equipment rental. Fee below to be paid for by the applicant at 100%.
Hang Promotional Banner (Banner supplement application required) $150.00 each banner
Permit Fees:
Applicants for special event permits involving city services shall pay 100% of any facility rentals (e.g. streets or parks), banner hanging fees, rental fees (e.g., extra barricades), equipment costs, and connections or services (if applicable). Applicants for a special event that requires staff at the event (e.g. police officers for crowd/traffic control, public works employees to close down a road) shall pay 50 percent of all labor costs (if applicable).
Updated Feb. 2025. Fees may be reviewed annually. (SMC 12.52.030)

You may also want to visit pages to view our park locations (link) and review park rules (link).

CONTACT US

Lana Hoover, Community Relations Specialist
lanah@sumnerwa.gov
253-299-5781

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