Host a Special Event

The City of Sandy values special events as a means of bringing people together to enrich lives and strengthen our community through the celebration of arts, sports, culture, commerce and more...

A Special Event is an organized activity, such as a parade, race, street fair, athletic event, or any other event that requires the exclusive use of public right of ways or city-owned property including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, parking spaces, parks, parking lots, alleys, trails, etc. and/or events which may substantially impact the general public’s welfare or impede traffic flow as authorized in Sandy Municipal Code (SMC) 12.02.030.  Special Events proposed to be held on non-city owned/private property shall be regulated by the standards of Sandy Development Code, Chapter 17.

The City of Sandy regulates these types of events to ensure the safety of the event participants, spectators and the general public as well as to minimize inconvenience to the general public and disruption of public services.

What is a special event?

A "Special Event" is any event that meets one or more of the following criteria:

• 'Any event that is a parade, carnival, festival, block party or running, walking, bicycling or alternative mobility event.
• Any event on City right-of-way or at city facilities where alcohol will be served.
• Any event on City right-of-way or at city facilities being promoted to the general public.
• Any event that requires the closure of any street or public right-of-way to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
• Any event to be held at a public facility or City park with a projected attendance of 50 or more people.
• Any event that will require the use of City resources such as the Police or Public Works Departments, or equipment such as but not limited to barricades or other public resources.
• Any event that impacts City bike paths, trails or Transit bus routes and/or amenities.
• Any event whose participants may utilize public or on-street parking for the proposed event.
• Ongoing or long term use of City Parks or buildings.
• Any event that will be utilizing a public address system or amplified music.
• Any event where admission is controlled by donations, entry fees or tickets (i.e. festivals, bands, running events, walking events, races, etc.)
• Sales events pertaining to any kind of product or service.
• Any event that utilizes tents, canopies, stages, blow-up bounce houses/slides, rides or other equipment.

Purpose of this Policy

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the use of the public right of way and city property for special events; to minimize City expenses associated with special events; to provide options and minimize expenses for special event coordinators; as well as to minimize safety risks and nuisances to event participants and the general public. The use of City parks and/or buildings requires that a separate Public Facilities Use Permit be submitted. View the application and corresponding instructions below.

Application Checklist

“ Special Event Permit Application
“ Fees Paid
“ Map of closure or route (if applicable)
“ Clean up plan
“ Traffic Safety/ Parking Plan (s)
“ Certificate of Insurance (naming City as additional Insured and in the amount of 2 million each occurrence and 2 million aggregate)
“ OLCC license approval (if applicable) – 35 days before event
“ ODOT approval (if applicable) – 35 days before event
“ Health Department Certification (if applicable) – 35 days before event