Shoreline, WA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SMC § 8.12.040
- Application fee
- per Chapter 3.01 SMC fee schedule
- Insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 per occurrence/aggregate
- Building facility hours
- close 10 p.m. Sun-Thu, midnight Fri-Sat
- Field lights curfew
- 10:30 p.m.
- Infraction penalty
- up to $500
Summary
To reserve a Shoreline park facility, athletic field, tennis court or community center for a nonroutine event, SMC § 8.12.040 requires a facility use permit issued by the parks department. Applicants submit a form with the Chapter 3.01 SMC fee and any security deposit, and the director can add conditions or cancel a permit for a rule violation.
A. Facilities may be rented or reserved for nonroutine use on an individual or ongoing basis through the issuance of a facility use permit. If the proposed use pertains to filmmaking, then Chapter 5.25 SMC, Filmmaking Regulations, applies in lieu of a facility use permit. ... ... C. All applications for a facility use permit shall be submitted on forms provided by the department and shall include the appropriate application fee based on the official fee schedule set forth in Chapter 3.01 SMC and any required security deposit.
Full Breakdown
Under SMC § 8.12.040, anyone who wants nonroutine or ongoing use of a City of Shoreline park facility, such as the Richmond Highlands or Spartan Community Center, athletic fields, tennis courts, or picnic shelters, must obtain a facility use permit from the parks, recreation and cultural services department; if the use is filmmaking, Chapter 5.25 SMC governs instead. Applications go on department forms with the fee from the Chapter 3.01 SMC schedule and any required security deposit, and the director may add or remove available facilities or impose reasonable conditions to ensure safe and orderly use.
SMC § 8.12.090 requires permittees to carry commercial general liability or tenant user liability insurance (TULIP) of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate, naming the city as an additional insured, cancellable only after 30 days' written notice. SMC § 8.12.050 lets the director suspend or cancel a permit without prior notice for a violation of its terms, or at any time for an emergency, severe weather, or a risk of damage or injury, with refunds governed by department policy. Building facilities close by 10:00 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday under SMC § 8.12.060, and outdoor athletic field lights shut off at 10:30 p.m. unless the permit or the director sets a different time. Permittees must leave the facility clean under SMC § 8.12.070 and indemnify the city under SMC § 8.12.080.
Violations & Fines
Violating a facility use permit's terms lets the director suspend or cancel it immediately without prior notice under SMC § 8.12.050, and the permittee remains liable for repair costs and indemnification under SMC §§ 8.12.070 and 8.12.080. Using a facility without a permit, or violating rules governing park use generally, is enforceable as a civil infraction carrying a penalty of up to $500 under SMC § 8.12.530, plus possible loss of park-use privileges under SMC § 8.12.550.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to reserve a Shoreline park for an event?
How much insurance does a Shoreline park permit require?
Can the city cancel my park permit?
What time do Shoreline park facilities close?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shoreline
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Park Event Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle park event permits.