Step 1 – The Application
Download an application

Submit your application no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Applications submitted less than 30 days in advance may be denied or rescheduled to a late date. Applications can be submitted the following ways:

• By Email: [email protected] (preferred)
• In Person: Parks Tacoma Headquarters, 4702 S. 19th Street, Tacoma, 98405
• By U.S. Mail: Parks Tacoma, Attn: Permits, 4702 S. 19th St., Tacoma, WA, 98405

Please note: Closure of a City of Tacoma street that abuts a Parks Tacoma park also requires a City of Tacoma Special Event Permit. Contact: Ashley Young at [email protected] or (253) 573-2523

Step 2 – The Review Process
The Special Use Permit Review Committee, which meets on the first Thursday of every month, reviews applications and makes the final determination on:

• # of Garbage totes
• # of Portable restrooms
• Site map/layout
• Recycling plan and # of containers
• Traffic/parking plans
• Utilities access
• Public safety plans

Step 3 – Approval/Denial & Follow-Up

Following the monthly Committee meeting, staff will contact the applicant regarding the approval or denial of the permit request and any outstanding permit requirements and fees that need to be collected.

Once all conditions have been met, a final permit may be issued.

Special Use Permit Fees (non-refundable)

Public Level 1
Public events that have under 200 attendees, no vendors. Limited impact on overall park use. May be scheduled with other low/medium impact permits.

• Permit Fee: $250
• Permit Fee: $150 Non-Profit
• Permit Fee: $75 Affiliate – Community event open to the public. Event must be free to attend (donations and/or registration fees prohibited). Non-profit hosting event must be within Tacoma City limits (mailing and business address). No on-site vendors. Projected attendance under 200.

Public Level 2
Public events that have up to 500 attendees, medium impact on overall park use, resource vendors allowed (food vendors limited to 6). May be scheduled with other low impact permits.

• Permit Fee: $400
• Permit Fee: $275 Non-Profit
• Permit Fee: $150 Affiliate – Community event open to the public. Event must be free to attend (donations and/or registration fees prohibited). Non-profit hosting event must be within Tacoma City limits (mailing and business address). Vendors limited to food/non-alcoholic beverage sales only. Projected attendance under 500.

Public Level 3
Public events that have over 500 attendees. Large community events with product retail vendors, 6+ food vendors and large run/walk events. Large impact on overall park use and maintenance resources. Only one allowed per park per day.

• Permit Fee: $750
• Permit Fee: $500 Non-Profit

Reimbursable fees, if ordered through Parks Tacoma, may include, but not limited to:

• Garbage totes
  • $ 65 per 300-gallon container
  • $ 30 per 90-gallon recycling
• Portable toilets
  • $ 200 Regular unit
  • $ 350 ADA unit
• Water access $ 75
• Electricity access $ 75
• Security $ 50 per private security person, per hour; 4-hour minimum required. TPD current market value, 4-hour minimum.

Fees for Walks/Runs
Point Defiance Park, Ruston Way Parks and Swan Creek Park require an additional per participant fee for each walker/runner registered.

Application fee + per participant fees
$1/Per Participant – Non-Profit
$2/Per Participant – For Profit

Additional Information
If you are offering a complimentary community event that meets all of the below requirements your Special Use Permit application fee will be reduced to $75.

• Community event open to the Public
• Event must be free to attend (donations and/or registration fees are prohibited)
• Non-profit organization must be within Tacoma city limits – business/mailing address
• On-site vendor sales are limited to food and non-alcoholic beverages only
• Total event attendance is limited to 500 people or less
• Damage deposit and reimbursable fees are required

Special Use Permit Location Options
Special Use Permits are issued for the following parks:

Regional Parks
Swan Creek Park Approved Swan Creek layout map

Ruston Way Parks

• Cummings Park
• Dickman Mill Park
• Jack Hyde Park
• Ruston Way Waterwalk

Walks and runs staging/finishing in parks and running on Ruston Way and WaterWalk sidewalks are limited to 250 registered applicants.

If the estimated attendance exceeds 250, a road closure may be an option during certain times of the year and off-site staging/finishing areas may be required.

For event road closures contact the City of Tacoma’s Special Events Office at (253) 573-2523, or email [email protected].

The WaterWalk is not available for staging start/finish lines for walks/runs. Special Use Permits for walks/runs on Ruston Way are not issued during June – August.

Point Defiance Park 

• Walks/runs are not permitted at Point Defiance June-August.
• Owen Beach (plus Owen Beach picnic shelter rental fee)

Walks and runs staging/finishing at Owen Beach and running through Point Defiance Park on pre-determined routes are limited to 500 registered applicants.

Due to public safety, predetermined walk/run routes have been established in Point Defiance Park: 2K route map, 5K route map, 8K route map, 10K route map

For the safety of both runners and park patrons, certain pre-determined routes will require police officers to be present at specified locations. Officers are required at any location where runners will cross a lane of traffic, as well as at the outer loop gate to ensure the security of the park.

Signature Community Parks

• Stewart Heights Park
• Titlow Park
• Wapato Park
• Wright Park Approved Wright Park layout map

Community Parks

• Franklin Park
• Jefferson Park
• Verlo Playfield
• Portland Avenue Park
• Vassault Park

Urban Parks

• Old Town Park
• People’s Park
• Thea’s Park

Green Event Application
Green Event applications must be received no less than 60 days before the event date.

Events that achieve Green Excellence certification may be eligible for Environmental Services Event Support. This can include free or discount services such as garbage, recycling, food waste bins, and/or portable toilets. You will receive the optional Environmental Services Event Support request form via email only after your event has achieved Green Excellence certification.

Environmental Services support requests must be received no less than 30 days before the event date.