Special Events Update
To ensure the health and safety of our community, the City of Boise continues to monitor data we receive from the state and Central District Health to make informed decisions around re-opening our city. If the COVID-19 data and trends show that it is unsafe to host events, we may not issue permits. For up-to-date information on gatherings and events, please visit cityofboise.org/covid19 or sign up for the City’s weekly e-newsletter, In the Know.
The City of Boise defines a special event as any single gathering or series of gatherings for which there is extensive planning. Examples of a planned special event include, but are not limited to, an outdoor concert, parade, festival, block party, any of a number of sporting events (such as a marathon, bike race or running event), or other organized activity conducted for a common or collective purpose.
A special event permit is required for any event on public property that is expected to have more than one thousand (1,000) people attend or any event that requires extraordinary resources including but not limited to alcohol compliance, security, emergency services and road closures/traffic control.
*Per Boise City Code, every planned special event on public property that has a projected attendance of more than one thousand (1,000) people is expected to require extraordinary resources.
Applications for a planned special event permit shall be made to the City Clerk at least forty-five (45) days, but not more than three hundred sixty-five (365) days prior to the event.
**Submitting a Special Event Application does NOT reserve, hold or guarantee dates or venues, nor imply any approval of the proposed concept or event.
All application and processing fees are due at time of submission via check by mail or check/credit card in person at Boise City Hall (150 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702). Online and/or over the phone payments cannot be processed.
The applicant shall, when notified by the City Clerk's Office, attend the Special Events Team meeting and participate in the Special Event Team’s review if the event meets one or more of the criteria listed below:
Review the Special Event Team meeting minutes and agendas
If the above link takes you to a different board or commission landing page, please select "Special Event Team" from the meeting group in the left column.
Boise City Code provides the framework and guidance for issuing Special Event Permits and can be viewed online.
Additional questions should be directed to the Boise City Clerk’s office at specialevents@cityofboise.org or 208-972-8150.
Thank you for contacting Special Events in the Office of the City Clerk. Someone will be in contact with you shortly.