Sammamish, WA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Facility permits
- SMC 7A.03.010, director-issued
- Open-area events
- Special use permit, SMC 7A.03.020
- Large-group threshold
- 25+ people requires permit
- Insurance
- Required, City named additional insured
- Cancellation notice
- At least 24 hours
- Unpermitted large/for-profit use
- Civil offense
Summary
Community groups wanting to reserve a Sammamish park building or facility need a director-issued permit. SMC 7A.03.010 lets the director "grant permits to community groups to meet or conduct activities in City of Sammamish park facilities," charged per the City's adopted fee schedule, while broader special use permits under 7A.03.020 cover open spaces, trails, and marine areas.
The director may grant permits to community groups to meet or conduct activities in City of Sammamish park facilities if those buildings, portions of buildings, or facilities are not otherwise required by the department. Permits may be granted in the form of a rental or reservation. A fee may be charged according to the City’s current adopted fee schedule.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance O2026-598, and legislation passed through August 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Sammamish splits event permitting into two tracks under Chapter 7A.03 SMC. Indoor or facility-based gatherings go through SMC 7A.03.010: the director may grant permits "in the form of a rental or reservation" for community groups to use park buildings or facility space not otherwise needed by the department, with fees set by the City's adopted fee schedule. Outdoor or open-area events, covering "open spaces, trails, park areas, park facilities, or associated marine areas," fall under the broader special use permit in SMC 7A.03.020, which lets the director attach "special conditions of use" noted directly on the permit and charge fees under the same schedule.
Several trigger points make a special use permit mandatory rather than optional: groups larger than 25 people (SMC 7A.03.070), religious services or rallies (SMC 7A.03.060, which also requires separate advance approval for any loudspeaker or amplified sound), rocket launches (SMC 7A.03.080), for-profit sales or business activity (SMC 7A.03.090), and organized activities that would block parking lots or roadways (SMC 7A.03.140). Permit holders take on real obligations: SMC 7A.03.040 requires them to indemnify and hold the City harmless for claims arising from their use, and SMC 7A.03.050 requires liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured, with 30 days' written notice before any cancellation or reduction in coverage.
The director can cancel a permit "at any time or for any reason deemed necessary" under SMC 7A.03.030, though at least 24 hours' notice of cancellation is required.
Violations & Fines
Using park facilities or open space for a large gathering of over 25 people, a religious service or rally, or a for-profit activity without the required special use permit under SMC 7A.03.020 is a civil offense per SMC 7A.03.070, 7A.03.060, and 7A.03.090 respectively. The director may also deny future permits under SMC 7A.04.030 for misuse of a facility or noncompliance with permit conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to reserve a Sammamish park building for a community event?
When is a special use permit required instead of a standard reservation?
Does the City require insurance for permitted park events?
Can Sammamish cancel my park event permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sammamish
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Park Event Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle park event permits.