Facility Use Policy

Washoe County owns and manages many facilities that are utilized for both County and non-County meetings and events. While it is desirable to provide as much access to County facilities as possible, it is also necessary to protect the County tax payer from liability resulting from the use of County facilities by persons and organizations for various non-County sponsored events.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction to the public on the requirements for reserving and using County facilities for non-County events. In addition, it is the purpose of this policy to assure that the use of County facilities for both County and non-County sponsored events result in the least amount of damage to property and liability exposure to the County.

Exceptions

This policy applies to all County-owned or operated facilities except those managed by the Parks Department and the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees.

Reservations

All reservations for the use of county facilities shall be honored on a first come, first serve basis, and by contacting as follows:

County-Related use: County departments may reserve County facilities by contacting the department responsible for the facility to be reserved.
Non-County Related use: County facilities may be reserved by contacting the Community Services Department.

Insurance

Where proof of insurance is required of persons or organizations, such insurance policy shall name Washoe County as an additional insured and provide that the County get at least ten days notice of any policy cancellation.

Certificates of insurance or policy copies must be in the name of the individual or organization that is the permittee. Homeowners' liability policies or certificates for individual permittees are acceptable for individual use purpose only.

If insurance coverage is not otherwise available, permittees may be able to purchase insurance through the Office of the County Risk Manager.

The amount of Insurance required varies depending upon the type of activity as follows:

Class I: None Required
Class II: Minimum of $300,000 Bodily Injury/Property Damage.
Class III: Minimum of $500,000 Bodily Injury/Property Damage.
Class IV: Minimum of $1,000,000 Bodily Injury/Property Damage.
Class V: Minimum of $1,000,000 Bodily Injury/Property Damage.

These classes are identified by the category of activity on Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated herein, and which Attachment may be amended from time to time by the County Risk Manager.

On an individual basis, an event may be placed into a higher class designation if, in the determination of the County Risk Manger, the risk to the County so warrants.

Fees/Damage Deposits:

A facility use fee or damage deposit may be required for the use of certain County facilities. Any such fees or deposits shall be indicated on a schedule maintained by the Community Services Department and must be paid at the time the application for permit is granted.

Prohibited Activities. The Following actives are prohibited when using County facilities:

Smoking. Smoking is prohibited on the inside of any County building unless a specified place for smoking has been designated in accordance with NRS 202.249 I (6) by the department responsible for use of the facility.
Alcohol. The serving or consuming of alcohol is prohibited unless waived by the Board of County Commissioners.
- Waiver request. If alcohol is to be served or consumed as part of the proposed event, a waiver must be sought and obtained from the Board of County Commissioners prior to the event. A waiver request should be in the form of a letter from the applicant to the Board, copied to the Community Services Department, wherein the proposed event and the roll of alcohol is described. Any request for waiver must be submitted to the County Manager's Office at least four weeks prior to the scheduled event to assure the ability of the Board to review the matter at a scheduled meeting.
Illegal activity.
Violation of rules. This prohibition includes any County rules as specified by the Community Services Department and rules promulgated by the department or agency responsible for the facility being used.