The City of Albany recognizes the contribution of special events to the city’s attractiveness for residents, tourists, and businesses. The permit process ensures that the activity meets legal requirements, allows the City to adequately schedule needed public services, and alerts affected neighborhoods and businesses. You may need one or more of the following permits to comply with local or State laws.
When is a special event permit needed?
A special event permit is required to use City-owned property when one or more of the following conditions exist:
- The proposed event is reasonably likely to involve more than 75 people;
- The proposed event is reasonably likely to require road closures, traffic control, crowd control, or other safety measures;
- Public right-of-way is impeded by the events activities;
- Special circumstances which require (1) the coordinator of multiple uses of public property; (2) assuring the preservation of public property and public spaces; (3) prevention of dangerous, unlawful or impermissible uses; and/or (4) protection of the safety of persons and property around the event as determined by the City Manager or designee.
Special Event Permit Application
Your special event may require additional permits listed on this page.
Other permits
Alcohol
Beer and wine may be consumed in some parks with an approved permit. Use of hard liquor is not allowed in any park, at any time. Additionally, “no host bars” or the consumption of alcohol in conjunction with the sale of or charge for anything at an event requires an Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) permit. Alcohol use is in accordance with AMC 7.28.102-108. Alcohol Permits are $25 and must be submitted along with the Special Event Permit application at least 60 days prior to the event.
Road Closures
Temporary use of the public right-of-way that limits the unobstructed use of such by the general public requires a permit under AMC 13.33 and AMC 13.32.020.
Sound Permit
Use of amplified sound requires a separate sound permit as per AMC 5.08.120, AMC 7.08.050, and AMC 7.08.052. The use of amplified sound is permitted only until 11:00 p.m. All amplified sound must cease promptly at that time to comply with noise regulations.
Park Rental
Park facility rental
If your event uses both public right-of-way and a City park facility, applicable park rental fees, in addition to Special Event Permit fees, will apply.
Vendor Permit
Vendors or organizations that sell food, alcohol and/or merchandise are required to submit a Vendor Permit if selling inside a park. Vendor Permit fees are $50 for each commercial vendor and $25 for each non-profit vendor participating in the event. Vendor Permits must be submitted two (2) weeks prior to the event. Vending is permitted in accordance with AMC 7.28.230. Contact Parks & Recreation at 541-917-7777 for details.
Fire Permit
A Fire Permit may be required, in addition to the Special Event permit, if your event utilizes tents, canopies or generators. Tents, canopies, and generators must be set-up, distanced, and powered in a way that ensures the safety of all participants. Albany Fire Department cooking and tent requirements for outside vendors.
Review criteria
The City of Albany will review all requests and decide to permit the event based on the following considerations:
- Safety of pedestrians and vehicles;
- Overall impact on street access and traffic;
- Impacts of other activities (events, construction) on the date(s) requested;
- Number of times a neighborhood has been impacted by events in a one-year period;
- Availability of City personnel and resources.
- In the case of a schedule conflict or multiple events impacting a specific neighborhood, priority is given to City of Albany partnered events, then to others on a first-come, first-served basis.
Exemptions
The following events are exempt from the Special Event Permit, but will still require additional permits such as Alcohol, Sound, and/or Road Closure, if applicable:
- City of Albany partnered events
- Albany Downtown Association events
- Albany Visitors Association events
- Activities conducted on City property other than a park by a governmental agency acting within the scope of its authority
- Lawful picketing on public sidewalks, protest.
- Temporary sales conducted by businesses, such as holiday sales, grand openings, Crazy Days, anniversary sales
- Events that take place solely within a City of Albany park that utilize the Park Reservation Request Form (AMC 7.28.250). There is a separate application process for park reservations. For more information, visit the park facility rental page or contact Albany Parks and Recreation at 541-917-7778.
Denial
Reasons for denying a permit include:
- The event, as presented, cannot function safely.
- The City was not provided sufficient notice of the event. Special Event Permit Applications must be submitted 60 days prior to the event date.
- The diversion of police and fire resources to support the event would deny reasonable fire and police protection to other parts of the city.
- The event does not meet traffic control and/or parking management conditions.
- The proposed event would unreasonably disrupt the orderly or safe circulation of traffic as would present an unreasonable risk of injury or damage to the public.
- The applicant provides false or misleading information; the applicant fails to complete the application or to supply other required information or documents; or the applicant declares or shows an unwillingness or inability to comply with the reasonable terms or conditions contained in the proposed permit;
- The proposed event would conflict with another proximate event, interfere with construction or maintenance work in the immediate vicinity, or unreasonably infringe upon the rights of abutting property.
The City Manager or designee shall consult with the City Attorney before denying a permit, and the reason(s) for the denial shall be in writing.
Revocation
All permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be temporary, shall vest no permanent right in the applicant and may be revoked upon the occurrence of any of the following:
- Immediate revocation in the event of a violation of any of the terms and conditions of the permit;
- Without notice in the event such use becomes, for any reason, dangerous or any structure or obstruction permitted becomes insecure or unsafe.
