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Park and Event Permit Applications
For answers to frequently asked questions, check out our Park & Event Permit Application FAQ.
If you still have questions after reading this site and the FAQ, email your questions to events@lakestevenswa.gov or call 425-622-9406.
Permit Types
Park Permits
50-100 people gathered for a common purpose in a City park, facility, or public property or for uncommon usage of an area. Rentals of picnic shelters & outdoor spaces do not need permits unless there will be more than 49 people in attendance.
Event Level 1
Events lasting one day with attendance, including spectators, between 100-499 people.
Event Level 2
Events lasting one or two days with daily attendance, including spectators, between 500-999 people.
Event Level 3
Reoccurring events held up to once a week. There is no participant/spectator limit.
Event Level 4
Events lasting between one and four days with daily attendance, including spectators, of over 1000 people.
Park permits are for groups between 50 and 99 people using parks or public property for gatherings or meetings held in a public park or public property. Groups under 50 people do not require a park permit, including activities in reserved shelters or spaces.
- Park permits do not convey any exclusive use of the park or automatic reservation of space.
- Reservations are required for rentable spaces like picnic shelters.
- Non-rentable spaces are first-come, first-served unless space is allocated as a condition of the permit.
Park Permit Process Details
Parks permits may be applied well in advance of your event.
- At a minimum, you should apply thirty (30) days before your event.
- You MUST apply fourteen (14) days before your event.
- Any applications received between fourteen (14) and thirty (30) days are subject to an expedited review fee in addition to the applicable event fees. All timelines and applicable fees are outlined in the LSMC 10.03.200.
When you apply for a park permit, you must complete the online application and then upload supporting documents.
- At a minimum, you must provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Lake Stevens, its officers, officials, staff, and volunteers as additional insureds.
- Please remember all documents uploaded to our systems are part of public records.
Fees must be paid before reviews begin, including permit fees and expedite fees (if applicable). Once fees are received, a staff member is assigned to process the permit application. This includes making sure all documentation is received, assigning departmental reviewers, and facilitating the review process.
During this process, they may have questions or need additional information. If there are any problems with the application, staff will communicate with the applicant and give them a chance to address the issues. Please be sure to respond to any requests from the staffer in a timely manner so they can ensure your permit is processed timely and efficiently.
Event permits are for groups of more than 100 people holding activities as defined in LSMC 14.08.010. These include:
- Parades, processions, or assemblies
- Planned activities for groups of 100+ people at parks or public property.
- Any organized activity on public or private property that will impact
- Traffic congestion or flow
- Public streets or right of ways near the activity
- Emergency or public services provided by the City of Lake Stevens
Event Permit Process Details
A successful event depends on detailed planning and coordination with City and County officials.
- As such, we recommend applying for event permits at least six months prior to your event.
- At a minimum, you should apply ninety (90) days before your event.
- You MUST apply sixty (60) days before your event.
- Any applications received between sixty (60) and ninety (90) days are subject to an expedited review fee in addition to the applicable event fees. All timelines and applicable fees are outlined in the LSMC 14.16C.065.
When you apply for an event permit, you must complete the online application and then upload supporting documents.
- At a minimum, you must provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Lake Stevens, its officers, officials, staff, and volunteers as additional insureds, a site map/route plan, a schedule of events, and a list of the organizing team.
- You may include other documents such as catering permits, vendor lists, performance schedules, sound system plans, tent flammability certifications, etc. that support the activities at your event or will assist staff in evaluating your permit. Please remember all documents uploaded to our systems are part of public records.
- Fees must be paid before reviews begin, including permit fees, expedite fees (if applicable) and the deposit applicable to the Event Level 4 permit type as outlined in the current Lake Stevens fee resolution.
- If there is a request for in-kind donations by the City of Lake Stevens, please indicate that on your permit application, submit the applicable forms, and allow for extra processing time for the permit to account for the time to process the in-kind donation request.
Once fees are received, a staff member is assigned to process the permit application. This includes making sure all documentation is received, assigning departmental reviewers, and facilitating the review process. During this process, they may have questions or need additional information. If there are any problems with the application, staff will communicate with the applicant and give them a chance to address the issues. Please be sure to respond to any requests from the staffer in a timely manner so they can ensure your permit is processed timely and efficiently.
Applying for a permit does not guarantee your event will be permitted, especially if an expedited review timeline is required. Staff must ensure the safety, security, and well-being of public property and attendees during events and use the criteria outlined in LSMC 14.16C.065 as well as applicable state, county, and organizational guidelines to make their determinations.
Once a permit is issued, a meeting will be held between staff and applicant to review any conditions applied to the event in the permit. These conditions may adjust the parameters of the event or state certain actions that must be performed by the applicant. If an event permit will not be issued, the applicant will be informed in all cases, staff will communicate with the applicant during the process so that no surprises in the permitting process
1. Review the Event Pre-Permit Checklist and gather the applicable information and documentation.
2. Log into the Citizens Connect permit portal. You will need to make an account the first time you file for a permit.
a. Complete the application for the required permit.
b. Upload supporting documents to your application.
c. Event Level 4 – submit the Event Application of Intent
3. Staff will email a request for payment. Be sure to check your email to ensure it doesn’t go to spam.
4. Log into Citizens Connect and pay fees.
5. Check email for any correspondence from staff.
6. If permit is issued
a. Meet with staff to review permit conditions.
b. Digitally sign permit
c. Print finalized version once everyone has signed.
d. Have a fun and safe event!
7.If permit is denied
a. Meet with staff to discuss issues and what could allow event to be permitted in the future.