Special Events Permit

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

Site Plan Requirements
Your Site Plan must be detailed and include the following two categories:

1. Property Overview
   • Boundaries: Show all structures, street names, fire lanes, alleys, sidewalks, and pathways.
   • Fencing: Clearly mark all fencing, including locations for entrances, exits, gates, and barricades.
   • Access & Parking: Indicate street or lane closures, emergency vehicle access routes, and any City-enforced street parking spaces being used.
2. Event Layout and/or Route Map
   Specify the exact location and dimensions for the following:
   • Structures: Tents, canopies, platforms, stages, and bleachers.
   • Vendors: Food trucks/trailers and merchandise areas.
   • Utilities: Generators and/or sources of electricity.
   • Alcohol: Clearly defined enclosed areas or beer gardens.
   • Sanitation: Trash/recycle containers (T, R), dumpsters/roll-offs (D), portable toilets, and hand-washing stations.
   • Safety: Locations of First Aid stations, AED machines, ambulances, and lost child booths.
   • Pyrotechnics: Firework launch location(s).
   • Security Deployment: Differentiate between volunteer and professional security. Indicate the quantity and specific deployment locations (e.g., venue entrances, beer gardens, or road closures).

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.

A Special Event Permit is required for events on public property that are expected to attract more than 1,000 attendees and require extraordinary city resources, such as traffic control, public safety staffing, or other municipal services.

Examples include festivals, races, parades, large community celebrations, concerts, and other events on public property that are expected to draw large crowds.

No. Depending on your event, you may also need additional permits or approvals, such as:

• Park reservations or park use permits
• Citizens use permits for road closures
• Amplified sound permits
• Alcohol permits with a security plan
• Other permits required by City, State, or Federal agencies

Obtaining a Special Event Permit does not replace these other requirements.

Possibly. Even if a Special Event Permit is not required, your activity may still require
another permit or approval, such as a park permit, amplified sound permit, alcohol permit,
or other applicable licenses.

Alcohol Beverage Catering Permits can be obtained here.

Typically, not. Block parties or neighborhood events that include road closures (with no alcohol sales/service/consumption) require these permits from Boise Police and Ada County Highway District.

Not necessarily. Events held on private property do not automatically require a Special Event Permit. However, other permits, licenses, or safety reviews may still be needed. Contact specialevents@cityofboise.org early in the planning process to determine what requirements apply.

Not usually. Private events held on private property, such as birthday parties, family gatherings, or company events, generally do not require a Special Event Permit. However, being a private event does not automatically exempt it from all permit requirements. Depending on the event's location, size, attendance, and activities—including alcohol service, food service, amplified sound, temporary structures, or use of public property—other permits or approvals may still be required.

Examples may include private parties, weddings, receptions, company gatherings, or other events that:

• Are held on private property,
• Do not require road closures or significant city services, and
• Do not meet the threshold for a planned special event.

Even when a Special Event Permit is not required, other permits or approvals may still apply.

It depends on where the event is held, and the activities involved. Weddings and receptions held on private property typically do not require a Special Event Permit. Weddings or receptions held on public property, such as a city park, may require permits or reservations. Additional permits may also be needed for activities such as amplified sound, alcohol service, tents, or street closures.

No. Vendors participating in a permitted Special Event are not required to obtain a separate city vendor license that would otherwise be required.

Email specialevents@cityofboise.org with information about your event. Staff can help determine whether a Special Event Permit is required and identify any additional permits or approvals needed for your event.

Your application will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy. If any required information is missing, you will be notified. Complete applications should include all applicable permits, licenses, and supporting plans (such as road closures, alcohol service, security, medical, and emergency plans). Once complete, the application will be routed to the Special Events Team for review and coordination with applicable departments and agencies. Applicants will be notified of any additional requirements or needed revisions throughout the review process.

Yes. Fees vary depending on the permits, licenses, services, and City resources required for your event. For event related costs, please see the Fee Estimate List or request department/agency contact info from specialevents@cityofboise.org.

The required application timelines depend on the type of permit(s) needed and the complexity of your event. Applying as early as possible helps ensure sufficient time for review and approvals. Check out these Application Process and Timeline guidelines for more details.