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

050 lets the City of Lakewood, Pierce County, grant special use permits to individuals and groups who want to reserve a park area for a set period or a special use; based on the type of event, headcount, or other unusual conditions, the Parks and Recreation Department can require one. In deciding whether to grant or deny an application, the Department weighs the type of event, time of use, competing and compatible uses, insurance and indemnification, police and fire concerns, parking, expected participant numbers and size limits, methods to keep alcohol in approved areas, and any other factor tied to local, county or state law.

The City charges a posted fee for every special use permit and can add fees or conditions depending on the use; the City Manager or designee can also require a refundable deposit sized to the type and scale of the event to ensure compliance. Youth groups 18 and under can meet or hold activities without charge if the buildings are not otherwise needed, the activity follows City standards, has no admission charge, is not run for fundraising, is open to the public without discrimination, is not planned for a single group, and runs during regular open hours.

165. Reservations cannot be made more than 12 calendar months before an event, and fee schedules are typically revised each January, so fees can shift between booking and the event date. 060. 110, naming the City as an additional insured, though the City Manager may waive or reduce that requirement for nonprofits or small neighborhood groups.