Special Events & Permits in Bellevue, WA (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for Bellevue, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Bellevue's traffic engineer issues special permits to close a city street or traffic lane to vehicle traffic, the mechanism used for block parties and similar temporary closures, under BCC 11.24.080. A closure permit cannot exceed seven consecutive days, and violating its terms is unlawful.
Bellevue Street Closure Permit for Events
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 11.24.080
The traffic engineer is authorized to issue special permits for the purpose of closing any city street or traffic lane to vehicle traffic subject to the terms and conditions of such permit. No permit granted under the authority of this section shall be valid for more than seven consecutive days. No permit shall be required for city employees acting in the normal course of business. The traffic ...
Park Event Permits
Any use of amplified sound at a Bellevue park event, from a PA system to a live band, needs a permit once it carries beyond 30 feet, under BCC 3.43.260. The city manager's designee approves or conditions the permit if the sound won't create a nuisance or endanger health, safety or property, and the event is open to the public. Alcohol at an organized park gathering needs a separate permit under BCC 3.43.250.
Bellevue Park Event Sound Permit
Some RestrictionsBCC 3.43.260
A. It is unlawful for any person to use, operate, or play or permit to be used, operated or played in any park any radio, tape player, television, musical instrument, record player or any other machine or device producing or reproducing sound at a volume that is audible at a distance over 30 feet therefrom, except pursuant to a permit issued by the city manager or their designee. B. Subject to ...
Parade Permits
Bellevue requires written notice to the chief of police and city engineer, and a permit from the chief of police, before parading on any city street under BCC 11.24.040. Notice must arrive 24 hours ahead, though the chief can waive or shorten that window for unexpected events.
Bellevue Parade Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 11.24.040
It is unlawful to parade upon any street in the city without first notifying the chief of police and the city engineer, and obtaining a permit to do so from said chief of police. Such notification shall be made in writing and shall state the purpose of such parade, the place and hour of formation of the proposed line of march, and the names of the persons having charge or control of said parade...
Street Fair Rules
Any promoter running a Bellevue trade show, festival, fair, or similar event with 15 or more vendors must hold a temporary special event license. Licenses run up to 10 consecutive days, cost $5 per vendor per day (capped at $40 per vendor), and unpaid fees draw a 10 percent penalty plus 12 percent annual interest.
Bellevue Street Fair & Festival Vendor License
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 5.12.010
It is unlawful for any person, group of persons, partnership, association, corporation, or any other type of business entity to act as a promoter of a temporary special event without first obtaining a temporary special event license. Examples of temporary special events include, but are not limited to, trade shows, festivals, fairs, arts and crafts shows, home shows, recreational vehicle shows,...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
A restaurant that wants to put cafe seating on a Bellevue public sidewalk needs a Type D long-term right-of-way use permit under BCC 14.30.080(D)(3)(i), which names 'sidewalk cafes' directly, on top of the general right-of-way use permit requirement in BCC 14.30.070 that applies to any private use of city right-of-way.
Bellevue Sidewalk Cafe Permit
Some RestrictionsBCC 14.30.080(D)(3)(i)
D. Type D – Long-Term and Permanent. 1. Type D permits may be issued for use of right-of-way for activities for extended periods of time but which will not physically disturb the right-of-way. 2. The use of right-of-way for structures, facilities, and uses that involve capital expenditures and long-term commitments of use require this type of permit. 3. Type D permits include but are not limite...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellevue city rules.
Special Events & Permits in King County →