Burien, WA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Burien Municipal Code § 7.20.020 sits in Chapter 7.20, Administration/Facility Use Permits, adopted by the Burien City Council through Ord. 475 in 2007. Parks and park facilities in the City of Burien are available for public use during hours of operation when city programs are not scheduled. Once an event fits the code's definition of a community or special event, a facility use permit or scheduling of the facility is required, and it is completed by contacting the parks and recreation department office.

The definition covers any organized assemblage of persons at a park or park facility that gathers for a common purpose under the direction and control of a person and either is anticipated to exceed or exceeds 75 people, or will require exclusive use of park area or a park facility. The second prong matters for small groups: a gathering under 75 people still needs a permit if it requires exclusive use of park area or a park facility.

The parks director grants the permits, and the permit can carry a fee. Special conditions of use are written on the permit itself, with permission for amplifying devices as the code's example. Charges for special services in city recreational facilities are also established by the parks director.

Other conditions attach to a permit. Under § 7.20.060, the permit holder can be required to hold the City of Burien harmless from claims and must carry public liability insurance acceptable to the city unless the parks director grants a waiver; the insurance cannot be canceled or reduced without written notice to the city at least 20 days in advance. Under § 7.20.070, adults must be present and supervise children under the age of 18 at all times. Under § 7.20.090, use of a park facility for financial gain is allowed only through a competitive-bid concession contract, a facility use permit, or a special events permit. The parks director can cancel a permit for cause or to meet department program needs under § 7.20.030, and § 7.20.050 requires the facility to be left clean and neat.

The section also points to a separate city special event permit. A code reviser's note in the export says Chapter 12.15 BMC was repealed by Ord. 395 and that special event permits are covered in Chapter 12.18 BMC. Any special event permit for an event held in whole or in part in a park or park facility is reviewed by the parks director before issuance.