Temporary Events

Northern Nevada, known for our community gatherings, hosts a considerable variety of public events. Events in unincorporated Washoe County require approval of a temporary event permit to ensure a safe event for attendees. All temporary events must be issued a Washoe County Temporary Event Business License.

Washoe County categorizes special events by the number of people attending daily. The categories include special events, outdoor community events, and outdoor festivals. The larger the event, the greater the need for an extensive review. Applications for the events with 100 or more attendees are submitted earlier to ensure proper review prior to the initial event date.

Below is information on the submission process for each event type. Please feel free to contact our team for more support at businesslicense@washoecounty.gov.

Booth Fees
Temporary event licensees typically provide (rent) booths to vendors during the event. Washoe County does not require each separate vendor to obtain a temporary event license but charge the overall event promoter the appropriate booth fee based on the number of vendor booths. Promoters must disclose the number of vendor booths and the sales/services offered by each vendor as part of the temporary license application.

Special Events

Washoe County Special Event (temporary sales or services) licenses are issued for events with fewer than 100 people per day unless held on Federal, State, trust, or tribal lands. Applications must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the event. Burning Man Vendors must submit the application no later than 60 days prior to the first day of sales/services.

The license fee for a temporary sales or service license is $65 plus any booth fees, if applicable. If intoxicating liquor is proposed to be served, a separate temporary intoxicating liquor license application is required. The temporary intoxicating liquor license fee is $127 and will not be issued until after the approval and issuance of the temporary sales or services license. License applications will be routed to other public agencies for review and approval.

All special event licenses are valid for a maximum of 31 days in a calendar year. Event dates must be included as part of the application. An approved special event will be issued a temporary sales or services business license.
Special Event Application
Burning Man Vendors Application

Outdoor Community Events

Outdoor Community Event licenses are issued for one-time events with 100 to 999 people on any one day of the event unless located in a Washoe County park or held on Federal, State, trust, or tribal lands. An outdoor community event license is not required if the event is to be conducted inside a permanent building or permanent installation constructed to accommodate the number of people. Applications must be submitted no later than 90 days prior to the event. Event dates must be included as part of the application.

There is a $50 non-refundable application fee plus an event fee of $350 per day. Additional booth fees will be charged, if applicable. If intoxicating liquor is proposed to be served a separate temporary intoxicating liquor license application is required. The temporary intoxicating liquor license fee is $127 and will not be issued until after the approval and issuance of the temporary sales or services license. License applications will be routed to other public agencies for review and approval. All events must meet land use/regulatory zone requirements before the license will be issued. For information on land use/regulatory zone requirements, call 775.328.6100 with the parcel number(s) of the event.

Events with between 100 and 299 people on any one day of the event. These events require an outdoor community event license only. The Director of the Planning and Development Division shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the license.
Events with between 300 and 999 people on any one day of the event. These events shall obtain both an outdoor community event license and an administrative permit from Washoe County Community Services Department. The license application suffices for the administrative permit application and no additional fees are required for filing the administrative permit application. The Board of Adjustment shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the license and permit.

An outdoor community event license is valid for the duration of the event.
Outdoor Community Event License Application

Outdoor Festivals

Outdoor Festival licenses are issued for one-time events with 1,000 or more people on any one day of the event unless located in a Washoe County park or held on a Federal, State, trust, or tribal lands. An outdoor festival license is not required if the event is to be conducted inside a permanent building or permanent installation constructed to accommodate the number of people. Applications must be submitted no later than 90 days prior to the event. Event dates must be included as part of the application.

There is a $1,000 non-refundable application fee plus an event fee of $350 per day. If intoxicating liquor is proposed to be served, as separate temporary intoxicating liquor license application is required. The temporary intoxicating liquor license fee is $127 and will not be issued until after the approval and issuance of the temporary sales or services license. License applications will be routed to other public agencies for review and approval. All events must meet land use/regulatory zone requirements before the license will be issued. For information on land use/regulatory zone requirements, call 775.328.6100 with the parcel number(s) of the event.

Applicants require a criminal history background investigation to determine if there are criminal convictions which would disqualify an applicant from receiving the license. All outdoor festival applications are reviewed by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners. The Board may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the license.
An outdoor festival license is valid for the duration of the event.
Outdoor Festival Application

Other Types of Temporary Events

The following is a list of other types of temporary events requiring a business license. These events will require a special event, outdoor community event, or outdoor festival license depending on the number of people attending the event on any one day.

Animal Shows
All licenses issued for animal shows consisting of exhibitions of domestic or large animals are valid for a period of seven consecutive days (maximum). This is a special event license and the fee is $65.

Christmas Tree Sales
All licenses issued for Christmas tree sales are valid between Thanksgiving Day and December 31st. This is a special event license and the fee is $65.

Distressed Merchandise Sales
All licenses issued for distressed merchandise sales are valid for a period of 90 days or less. This is a special event license and the fee is $65.

Flea Markets and/or Farmer's Markets
Licenses for flea markets and/or farmer's markets are valid for a maximum of 31 days in a calendar year. This is a special event license and the fee is $65. Additional booth fees will be charged, if applicable. Flee Market applicants will be required to obtain a registration card from the Sheriff's Office.

Garage and/or Yard Sales
A business license is required for garage and/or yard sales if such sales exceed 72 hours in duration or occur on the same property more than twice in any six month period. All licenses issued for garage and/or yard sales are valid for a period of no more than 31 days in a calendar year. This is a special event license and the fee is $65.

Motion Picture and Television Production (Film Permits)
Film Permits are coordinated between Washoe County and the Nevada Film Office. You will need to contact the Nevada Film Office at 775.687.9900. You can visit their website at www.nevadafilm.com. Applicants must complete the Nevada Film Office forms at the link below and provide a copy to Washoe County. All film permits are issued for the duration of the event. An investigation fee, financial assurances and/or hold harmless agreements may be required. There is no fee for this permit.
Film Permits

Procession Permits
Procession Permits are not issued by Washoe County business license. Please click on the procession permit agency link below for the list of agencies you need to check with for your event.
Procession Permit Agency List

Pumpkin Patches
All licenses issued for pumpkin patches are valid from October 1st to November 5th. This is a special event license and the fee is $65.

Seasonal Firewood Sales
All licenses issued for seasonal firewood sales are valid for 90 days between September 1st and March 31st. Seasonal firewood sales cannot be part of a permitted, permanent firewood sales business. Seasonal firewood sales must also meet certain land use and zoning requirements. This is a special event license and the fee is $65.

Solicitation by a Charitable Organization
All licenses issued for solicitation by a charitable organization are valid for a maximum of 90 consecutive days. This is a special event license and the fee is $75. Applicants require a registration card from the Sheriff's Office.

Tent Shows, Carnivals or Circuses
Licenses for tent shows, carnivals, or circuses are valid for the duration of the event. The license fee is based on the number of people on any one day of the event (special event, outdoor community event, or outdoor festival). In addition to the application fee, there is an event fee of $300 per day. The maximum event fee collected will be $4,200. Additional booth fees will be charged, if applicable. Event workers will be required to obtain registration cards from the Sheriff's Office.

Theme Park or Permanent Exhibitions
Licenses for them parks or permanent exhibitions are valid for the duration of the event. The license fee is based on the number of people on any one day of the event (special event, outdoor community event, or outdoor festival). In addition to the application fee, there is an event fee of $100 per day. The maximum event fee collected will be $1,400. Additional booth fees will be charged, if applicable. Applicants will be required to obtain a registration card from the Sheriff's Office.

Washoe County Business License Codes
Chapter 25 - Business licenses, Permits, and Regulations

Washoe County Business License Contact:

Mail your completed application to:
Washoe County Business License
1001 E. Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89512

Business License Phone: 775.328.3733
Email: BusinessLicense@washoecounty.gov