2025 Waterfront Park Use Event Request Form

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Introduction

To ensure that Waterfront Park remains an accessible, enjoyable, and well-maintained public space, Friends of Waterfront Park requires the public to submit requests for private or public events for commercial and organized activities that impact park operations or visitor experience. This policy applies to private tour operators, film & photography shoots, small gatherings, classes, pop-up performances, concerts, festivals, and other organized activities.


Friends of Waterfront Park works with community groups as part of our Community Events Program. If you are a group or individual interested in collaborating with Friends on programming at Waterfront Park. Please visit our Waterfront Park Programming Roster page to learn more. (This is separate from renting space at Waterfront Park). There are no longer openings for 2025 programming, but you can apply to join the roster for 2026 opportunities. 

Intake Questions




Event Rental Intake Questions:






Park Use Application

Before submitting a Park Use Request/Permit, please review the following:

  • Park Use applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of your requested date, though a longer lead time is encouraged.
  • In the future, Friends of Waterfront Park will charge a non-refundable Park Use Permit application fee of $75.00 with every permit application.
  • Additional permit fees are based on the location and event type.
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee you will be granted a permit or your request will be approved.
List of potential Park Use fees below. Total cost will be shared after requests are reviewed.
  • Space Usage Fee: $35.00 per hour (cost will vary depending on location)
  • Per Vehicle Load-in/Load-out Support: $50.00
  • Power Access: $125.00
  • Friends Event Staffing Support: $35.00 per hour, per staff member
  • Amplified Sound: $35.00 per hour


Contact Information












2. Event Information


















3. Event Details







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4. Location
Submitted applications are required to indicate the desired location for proposed activity or event. If you can, please include a site map or additional documents that provide details of your footprint, logistics, setup and potential route if moving through the park. These details help us review and consider your application more quickly.

Please review the map located on this page of here.





5. Vendors/Sales


No Food Trucks allowed.
No Alcohol is permitted.
10% of all sales (food, beverages, admissions, souvenirs, goods and services on Waterfront Park property must be remitted to Friends of Waterfront Park within 10 days following the event. 
6. Amplified Sound/Music





Please note that electricity is only available at select locations in the park. 
7. Recycle & Trash
Organizer is responsible for ALL trash generated by participants and is required to provide some waste management. More waste control required for food/beverage events.
8. Insurance

Insurance covering the City of  Seattle and Friends of Waterfront Park must be provided by Applicant/Event Organizer to Friends of Waterfront Park no later than fifteen (15) days prior  to the  start of  the event.  Park Use Permits will not be issued until insurance requirements have been received, verified and approved.


Certificate of Insurance. Applicant/Event Organizer shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, maintain continuously, at its own expense, (1) Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance, including premises/ operations, products/completed operations, personal/advertising injury, contractual liability and stop gap liability. The minimum limit of liability shall be $1,000,000 for each occurrence combined single limit bodily injury and property damage (CSL) and General Aggregate of $2,000,000 (2) If vehicles are used in the conduct of business, Automobile Liability insurance, including coverage for owned, non-owned, leased or hired vehicles as appropriate. The minimum limit of liability shall be $1,000,000 CSL. CGL and Automobile insurance as specified above shall: (1) include “Friends” and “City of Seattle” as an additional insured for primary and non-contributory limits of liability, (2) shall not be canceled without fifteen (15) days prior written notice to Friends.

9. Payment
Once you receive your Date & Time Confirmation (permit approval) the following steps will take place:
  1. An invoice will be emailed to the applicant. 
  2. Payment options will be listed on the invoice (mailed check or credit card)

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General Terms and Conditions for Park Use Events/Activities 

Retain Permit: If approved, the User must retain a copy of their permit on the premises throughout the scheduled event.

Laws and Rules: The User shall comply with all state laws, City ordinances, regulations of the Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) applicable to activities in City parks, and any lawful order of a City of Seattle or Friends of Waterfront Park representative made to prevent injury or damage. No lewd conduct or gambling devices are permitted on the premises.


Noise and Amplified Sound: Event noise is an item that can have a large impact on a neighborhood and park experience. Requests for amplified sound are reviewed carefully. It is unlawful to have amplified sound in a park without a permit from Friends. Friends has discretion to allow or disallow amplified sound during an event and set any limits it deems necessary, including but not limited to, allowing subwoofers and drums. A Friends staff member may attend an event to measure decibel levels and has authority to require a reduction or can terminate amplified sound.


Condition of Premises: By entering into possession, the User accepts the premises in their present condition. The User may inspect the premises at an earlier, mutually convenient time. Upon expiration or termination of the Permit, the User shall promptly return the premises in as good condition as received, reasonable wear & tear excepted, in a clean appearance, ready for use by another.


Approval Required: The following activities are NOT ALLOWED without advance written approval from Friends of Waterfront Park: the sale of food, beverages, goods or merchandise; charging admission or fees for services; alteration, painting, or construction on any structure within Waterfront Park.


Responsibility:
The User assumes responsibility for all activities it conducts during the event, including but not limited to, supervision and control to prevent injury or damage; maintenance of the premises during the use; picking up bottles, debris and refuse; and providing security to maintain order. Friends disclaims any liability from, and the User agrees not to hold Friends or The City of Seattle liable for, all harm that may arise from the event authorized by this permit.


Departmental Access: Friends and City of Seattle authorized representatives shall have free access to the premises at any and all times. Friends and/or City of Seattle may make repairs or alterations to the premises during the use period as long as the same does not unreasonably interfere with the use of the premises for the planned event,s determined by the Park Experience Director. Friends staff may interfere with the User’s use of the premises for repair and alteration work resulting from an emergency.


Cancellation, Relocation by Friends: Friends may, without liability, upon giving as much advance notice to the User as practical, cancel or terminate a Permit or relocate a scheduled use to a nearby available location if the premises are closed for repairs, necessary utilities or services cannot be supplied or a supervening order of a governmental officer or agency makes it necessary. If Friends needs to cancel the event, they will refund paid fees excluding the application fee.


Cancellation by User: Event organizers have 14 days from the receipt of the event confirmation email to cancel event. Although fees are not due at time of booking, cancellation outside of the 14-day window means all applicable fees, inclusive of the application and hourly use fees are still owed to Friends.


Revocation:
Friends may revoke a permit and/or stop a use in progress if the User fails to comply with any State laws, City ordinances, including Seattle Municipal Code 25.08.520 (noise ordinance), the rules and regulations of the Park Experience Director, the terms and conditions of their permit or an approval required under Section 4; the User fails to secure a necessary permit; and/or after a warning, the User disregards instructions from an authorized representative of Friends or engages in activity that may cause injury to the public or damage to the premises.


No Assignment: The permit and the permission granted may not be assigned, nor the premises sublet, without the prior written consent of Friends.


Indemnity: The User hereby releases and shall save, defend, indemnify, and hold Friends of Waterfront Park, The City of Seattle, and their respective officers, employees, and agents harmless from any and all causes of action, suits at law or equity, claims, demands, and liability of any nature (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising out of any act or omission of the User, or of any agent, employee, or subcontractor of the User under this Permit Agreement.

In the event of the concurrent negligence of (a) the User or (b) any of the User’s employees or agents, and Friends, The City of Seattle, or any of their employees or agents, the User indemnification obligation shall be enforceable only to the extent of the negligence of the User or its employees or agents.

The User waives any immunity the User may have under any industrial insurance legislation (Title 51 RCW or other applicable legislation) to claims brought against the User by Friends or The City of Seattle in connection with this Permit Agreement, which waiver has been mutually negotiated by the parties hereto.

The User further agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Friends, The City of Seattle, and their respective officers, employees, and agents harmless from any claims, losses, damages, or liabilities arising from:

1. Failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals (outside of Friends scope) – including, but not limited to, special event permits, and fire department approvals.

2. Failure to comply with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements – including hazardous materials handling, shoreline development ordinances, and ADA compliance.
3. Disruptions due to utility failures – including but not limited to power outages, water supply interruptions, or telecommunications disruptions, for which Friends and The City of Seattle assume no liability.

No liability shall attach to Friends or The City of Seattle by virtue of entering into this Permit Agreement except as expressly provided herein. The rights granted by this provision shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Permit Agreement.


Insurance: User shall deliver to Friends a Certificate of Insurance (COI) at minimum 15 days in advance of the event confirming the existence or issuance of the policy described in the paragraph below and naming Friends of Waterfront Park and the City of Seattle as additional insured. The following language will be included in the Certificate of Insurance listed in the Description of Operations box: “The following are included as additional insured: Friends of Seattle Waterfront, a Washington public benefit corporation (d/b/a Friends of Waterfront Park), its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers; and City of Seattle and its officers, officials, employees, agents and volunteers.” User shall there after maintain insurance continuously through the term of this agreement. 


User shall, at all times during the term of this Permit Agreement, maintain continuously, at its own expense, (1) Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance, including premises/ operations, products/completed operations, personal/advertising injury, contractual liability and stop gap liability. The minimum limit of liability shall be $1,000,000 for each occurrence combined single limit bodily injury and property damage (CSL) and General Aggregate of $2,000,000 (2) If vehicles are used in the conduct of business, Automobile Liability insurance, including coverage for owned, non-owned, leased or hired vehicles as appropriate. The minimum limit of liability shall be $1,000,000 CSL. CGL and Automobile insurance as specified above shall: (1) include “Friends of Waterfront Park” and “City of Seattle” as an additional insured for primary and non-contributory limits of liability, (2) shall not be canceled without thirty (30) days prior written notice to Friends. 


ADA Compliance: Where possible and within the limitations of each park site, Friends of Waterfront Park will make accommodations for persons with disabilities upon request. Email accessibility@waterfrontparkseattle.org. For more information on Accessibility efforts visit https://waterfrontparkseattle.org/accessibility/.