Special Events

Special event gatherings like outdoor concerts, parades, festivals or sporting events such as marathons, or bike races, require extensive planning. The City of Boise's Special Events Team works with event organizers to help produce successful and safe events with minimal impact on the environment, surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.




Check Your Event

Use this quiz to see if your event requires a Planned Special Event permit, or additional permits based on your proposed activities.

Application Process + Timeline

Guidelines are outlined below but please note - a complete application should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event start date to allow sufficient time for processing and city-related fees should be paid no later than 30 days prior to the event start date so the permit can be issued in a timely manner.

Apply

Start + Schedule

Minimum of 120 Days Prior to Event

Start working through the special event permit application by logging into the city's permitting and licensing system. Carefully review the requirements and answer each question accurately. You may save and resume your work as needed.

Schedule a consultation with the city's Special Events Program Manager by email to assist with navigating and completing your application.

Confirm + Complete

Minimum 90 Days Prior to Event

Confirm that detailed information (i.e. stage dimensions, vendor counts, fire inspections, drone requirements, security contracts, medical plans) from city departments, outside agencies and contracted vendors is finalized, signed and uploaded to your special event permit application.

Finalize the run of show schedule, maps, and routes, and attach them to your special event permit application in the city's permitting and licensing system.

Submit + Present

Minimum 60 Days Prior to Event

Submit your completed special event permit application via the city's permitting and licensing system.

Present and/or meet with city departments and other governmental agencies to ensure proper use of city property, adequate planning for safe conduct during all activities, and the overall health and safety of the attendees and/or the public.

Pay + Execute

Minimum 30 Days Prior to Event

Pay event fees that are due in the city's permitting and licensing system and to outside agencies directly when applicable, so your Planned Special Event Permit can be issued.

Execute your event! All planned activities and elements in permitted area(s) as well as site plans, maps, and routes should be implemented as described in your approved application. Requests to make notable changes and/or additions to the site plan or route map after the presentation may not be honored.


Planning Tools

These tools assist event organizers with the planning process and provide helpful resources.

Before choosing an event date and time, consider other events that are on the same day. This will help determine if competition for event audience or participants, adequate emergency services (such as Police, Fire and Medic staffing) or vendor (food, beverage, traffic control, security, portable sanitation units, etc.) resources are available.

The City of Boise has identified impacted dates that will be challenging for emergency services to support. New and/or returning special event permit approvals are subject to availability on these dates.

Special Event Impacted Dates

The permit process for a special event in a reservable park or on the Greenbelt starts with reserving the event's location, date, and time.

Special Event Park Use Initial Event Request

All events are required to submit a medical plan and the Special Events Medical Service Matrix will help organizers identify the minimum requirements for special events in the City of Boise.

Special Events Medical Service Matrix

Boise Police Department supports the city's special event process by working with event organizers to assess security risks based on dates, times, attendance numbers and scheduled activities of events. Officers can be contracted (and may be required) to maintain public safety.

Police Staffing Request

Alcohol can be served and sold at events, but organizers must work with their licensed alcohol provider to ensure proper permits and safety and security measures are in place.

Alcohol Beverage Catering Permit

More information coming soon.

Special event organizer(s) must maintain a commercial general liability insurance policy with coverage of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence and produce a certificate of insurance (see sample) listing the City of Boise as additional insured. Additional coverage may be required at the discretion of the city's legal counsel and/or risk and safety team.

Certificate of Insurance Example

More information coming soon.

People with disabilities must be able to enjoy the same goods, activities, services, and benefits that are available to other members of the public. Review the guide for event requirements and accessibility best practices.

Accessible Events Guide

Event organizers must have a solid waste plan and include waste receptacle locations on the site map. Trash and recycling containers can be borrowed, and larger solutions like dumpsters and roll-offs are available for rent through the event permit application.

Commercial Customer Rates

Printable Container Signs

Trash

Recycle

Vendor Waste Guide

Review and distribute this guide to all vendors participating in your event.

Event Vendor Low Waste Guide

If you are closing a road that has on-street parking spaces or need to reserve them for various uses during your event, reservations must be made in the parking and road closure section of the online special event permit application. Parking space rental is subject to availability and parking needs must oblige by ADA standards.

An approved UAS airspace authorization and required waivers, which may take up to 60 days to obtain, must be uploaded for each drone pilot. Get an airspace authorization through LAANC and find more information on the FAA Drone Zone website.

Fee Estimate List

City departments and/or outside agencies have various forms and fees for permits, licenses, and services specific to their areas. Once finalized with each department, city-related fees will be populated in your special event permit application and available to pay in one place. The Fee Estimate List shows base rates (subject to change) and is provided for informational and budgeting purposes only.

Fee Estimate List (PDF)

Resources

Traffic Advisory

Use our interactive map to check closures and detours surrounding construction surrounding and special events.

See Map
Special Events Team

The Special Events Team works with organizers to help produce successful and safe events of any size or impact. Email specialevents@cityofboise.org for more information. 

Boise City Code

Boise City Code provides the framework and guidance for issuing Planned Special Event Permits.

City Code
Contact

Additional questions should be directed to:

Email: specialevents@cityofboise.org | Phone: 208-972-8550

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Send a Message to City Clerk - Special Events

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