Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Special Events & Permits in Port Townsend, WA (2026)

6 verified special events & permits rules for Port Townsend, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Block Party Permits

Closing a Port Townsend street for a block party requires a temporary use/event permit under PTMC 17.60, with the police chief setting street-closure conditions.

Port Townsend Block Party Street Closure Permit

Some Restrictions

PTMC 17.60.020, 17.60.055

No temporary use shall be permitted within the city except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. A temporary use permit is required for temporary uses... Any person may apply for a temporary use permit within a public right-of-way. ... The chief could grant a permit holder the right to use portions of streets or sidewalks (subject to conditions to maintain public access and ensure ...

Park Event Permits

Groups reserving Chetzemoka Park's kitchen shelters or bandstand for an event need a city reservation, capped at three consecutive days.

Chetzemoka Park Reservation Permit

Some Restrictions

PTMC 11.06.010

A. Organizations, government, or individuals may reserve the facility up to one year in advance of the proposed date of use. B. The facility may be reserved for no more than three consecutive days and for no more than six days per year, unless otherwise approved by the city manager based on the significant community value of the proposed event. C. The facility may be reserved for no longe...

Parade Permits

Conducting a parade or demonstration on any Port Townsend public right-of-way is unlawful without a permit from the chief of police, who reviews the route, date, and time before issuing it.

Port Townsend Parade Permit Required

Significant Restrictions

PTMC 10.36.020

It is unlawful to conduct any parade or demonstration of any sort on any public right-of-way in the city except upon a permit for such parade or demonstration having been issued by the chief of police as hereinafter provided.

Street Fair Rules

Festivals and street fairs need a temporary use permit under PTMC 17.60, and the police chief sets safety conditions for vendor booths and tables in the right-of-way.

Port Townsend Street Fair Vendor Permits

Some Restrictions

PTMC 17.60.055

In issuing any event permit or temporary use permits for use of the right-of-way or any public space, the chief of police (or designee), in consultation with the planning and community development director and the public works director, is authorized to establish conditions and restrictions for the event to ensure public safety, including conditions that restrict others’ use of the area set asi...

Parklets

Port Townsend caps parklets by district and allocates permits through an annual lottery, not first-come applications.

Port Townsend Parklet Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

PTMC 12.10.045(A)

Due to the impact on parking, parklets and streateries are to be limited in number as follows: 1. Two total streateries or parklets in the C-III historic commercial district uptown. 2. One streatery or parklet per block in all other commercial districts or mixed use districts. 3. No streateries are permitted in the C-III historic commercial district downtown after December 31, 2022. ...

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés

Port Townsend requires an annual street use permit for sidewalk cafes, streateries, and parklets, with a lottery cap on streateries/parklets and detailed design, safety, and ADA standards under PTMC Chapter 12.10.

Port Townsend Sidewalk Cafe Permit

Significant Restrictions

PTMC 12.10.030(A)

Annual street use permits may be issued for those activities that will use the public right-of-way consistent with the intent of this chapter, over the longer term, that do not involve the physical disturbance or alteration of the surface of the street or sidewalk, and that do not substantially or unduly block the use of the street or sidewalk by pedestrians or vehicular traffic, such as vendin...