Special events are public or private gatherings that feature one or more of the following conditions.
- 500 or more participants
- an impact to city streets, public rights of way or public parking
- a need for city support services such as police, traffic or fire assistance
Event organizers can submit a special event application of intent. The Special Events Committee determines event conditions and fees, and may even determine that a special event permit is not necessary. You may need to fill out other forms below.
Special Events Application and Process
To obtain approval for a special event, download the special events application of intent and submit it to the Special Events Committee.
These forms may help you:
- Special Events Manual
- Application of Intent
- Process Overview
- Application of Intent Checklist
- Insurance - Attachment B Requirements
- Insurance - Certificate of Insurance Tracking
- Hold Harmless, Indemnification, and Insurance
- Right of Way Billing
- Right of Way Street Use Permit Information
- Right of Way Street Use Application
- Temporary Food Application
- Plumbing & Electrical
- Temporary Special Event License Application
- Park Event Map
- Downtown Park Map
- Park Reservation Request Form
- Post-Event Evaluation
- State Department of Ecology Recycling
- Banner Installation Application
The Special Events Committee is appointed by the City Council to:
- Interpret and administer the Special Events Code;
- Establish event conditions and fees;
- Set event times, places and conditions designed to help ensure safe, quality events; and
- Approve issuance of event permits.
In 1994, Bellevue adopted a special events policy, which recognized the substantial community benefits that result from special events and the need to ensure the safe and efficient operation of these events. These events provide family activities and funding for the community’s nonprofit agencies as well as cultural enrichment, economic vitality and community pride.
Special Events Committee Members
Parks & Community Services - Lead Department
- Susan Freeburg, Chair - sfreeburg@bellevuewa.gov
- Andy Heider - aheider@bellevuewa.gov
Fire Department
- Mark H. Anderson - mhanderson@bellevuewa.gov
- Dane Waisanen - dwaisanen@bellevuewa.gov
Police Department
- Sgt. Michael Shovlin - mshovlin@bellevuewa.gov
- Capt. David Sanabria - dsanabria@bellevuewa.gov
Transportation Department
- Rick Logwood - RLogwood@bellevuewa.gov
- Weijun Zhu - WZhu@bellevuewa.gov
Development Services
- Reilly Pittman - rpittman@bellevuewa.gov
Utilities Department
- Erin Hislop - ehislop@bellevuewa.gov
King County Metro Transit
- Jonathan Rose - jrose@kingcounty.gov
Community Representative - East Bellevue
- Neal Christiansen - neochristi@hotmail.com
Community Representative - Downtown
- Laurie Scott - lauriescott7@gmail.com
Business Representative - Downtown
- Mike Ogliore - mike@bellevuedowntown.com
Business Representative - West Bellevue
- (Ms.) Chris Dunham - cdunham@visitbellevuewashington.com
Business Representative - East Bellevue
- (Ms.) Roz Liming - rliming@roireit.net
Special Event Promoter, Position 1
- Meredith Langridge - meredithl@bellevuearts.org
Staff Support
- Imane Elmesbahi - IElmesbahi@bellevuewa.gov
Bellevue College
- Eric Peterson - 425-564-5157
- Than Ha - 425-564-3310
POSITIONS NOT CURRENTLY REPRESENTED:
- Community Representative - West Bellevue
- Community Representative - South Bellevue
- Business Representative - South (South of I-90)
- Event Coordinator - Private
Meetings
Unless noted otherwise, the Special Events Committee meets the second Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at City Hall. Check the agenda or display board for the meeting room. The meeting site is wheelchair-accessible. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon request. Please call in 48 hours in advance: 425-452-5262 (Voice).
Joining the Committee
Complete the application and send it to the address included in the application.
