Parade/Public Assembly & Open Container Permit Fees:
- General Event or Block Party Permit: $50
- Event with City-Managed Street Closure: $350
- Open Container Permit: $50
- Open Container with City-Managed Street Closure: $140
- Additional Fees for City-Managed Closures:
- Street Closure Fee: $75
- Sign Operations Fee: $75
Event Permits in Bozeman
The City of Bozeman Public Works Department issues permits for public events that meet certain criteria. If you’re planning an event, please review the information below to determine which permits you’ll need.
Types of Event Permits
- Parade Permit
- Required for any moving event such as:
- Parades
- Runs or Walks
- Marches
- Any event that does not remain in one location
- Public Assembly Permit
- Required for gatherings that:
- Occur in one location
- Expect 75 or more attendees
- Utilize or impact the public right-of-way
- Events that are open to the public and include alcohol
Open Container Wavier
If alcohol will be served or sold at a public event or at a venue generally open to the public, an Open Container Waiver is required in addition to your event permit.
For more information, visit the Montana Department of Revenue’s Fact Sheet page.
Insurance Requirements
Per Sec. 34.08.070 the City of Bozeman requires insurance for all street closures, including events that are less than four hours in duration and do not involve alcohol.
Required, Minimum Coverage:
A permittee under this article shall obtain commercial general liability insurance covering the permittee and/or the permittee's organization for all activities related to the parade and/or public assembly, including but not limited to setup, the public assembly or parade itself, and all cleanup and takedown activities. The insurance policy shall contain no exceptions or exclusions for activities conducted under or related to the permitted activities.
The permittee shall name the city, its officers, and employees as additional insureds on a primary non-contributory basis. The additional insured coverage shall be in a form acceptable to the city. To the extent reasonably possible, such additional insured coverage shall be in the minimum amounts of $750,000.00 per claimant and $1,500,000.00 per occurrence.
- Special Event Coverage
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We understand that finding affordable insurance has been a challenge for many event organizers. To help address this, the MMIA and the Independent Insurance Agents of Montana (IIAM) have partnered to offer a streamlined and cost-effective solution. This program provides short-term liability coverage for a wide range of events held on municipal property and sponsored by private individuals or organizations.
To obtain coverage:
- Contact an agent from the list of authorized agencies or reach out to the IIAM directly.
- Be prepared to review your event details with the agent.
- Please allow at least 5 business days prior to applying for your event for processing.
- This documentation must be submitted as part of the City of Bozeman permit process prior to approval, so please plan your event accordingly and give yourself enough time to gather and submit all required materials.
Application Deadlines
According to Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 34.08.080:
- Applications must be submitted no more than 180 days and no less than 15 working days before the event.
- Applications received fewer than 15 working days prior to the event will be denied.
This timeline allows the City to properly evaluate the event's needs, including:
- Location and route
- Number of participants
- Required city services
Events on Main Street
Main Street is a state highway and will not be closed for first-time or private events.
If you're planning a recurring event on Main Street (previously held elsewhere), you must submit:
- Written permission from the Montana Department of Transportation with your application.
Traffic Control Requirements
Certified Flaggers
- Minimum two certified flaggers per street crossing where traffic is stopped
- More flaggers may be required depending on the intersection
- Flaggers must attend in-person, state-approved training
- (Online training is not accepted.)
Volunteers
- Required at stop sign-controlled intersections and pedestrian crossings
- One volunteer per crossing is generally required
- Volunteers may not stop traffic but should alert drivers of oncoming participants
Events in City Parks
If your event takes place in a city park, you may need two permits:
- One from the Recreation Department – For events that stay within the park
- One from Public Works - For events that leave the park and use public streets or sidewalks
The Recreation Department manages park use; Public Works ensures public safety on streets and sidewalks.
For Park event questions, contact the Recreation Department:
Need Help?
For questions about event permits, contact the Public Works Department:
