Pasco staff proposes streamlined special-events rules to reduce red tape and focus on risk drivers

City staff and consultant Framework presented an audit of Pasco’s special-events permitting on Aug. 25 and proposed a more streamlined approach that separates public-space events from private-property events, removes low-value yard-sale permits, and replaces a fixed security staffing formula with a risk-based rubric tied to event size, alcohol, density and time of day. Staff said examples from peer cities informed the recommendations: public-property events that involve alcohol, exclusive use, road/traffic impacts, or ticketed admission would continue to require a special-events permit; many small private-property events would not. The city already uses umbrella permits for recurring, venue-based operations such as the flea market; staff recommended expanding similar models (for example for the HAPO Center) and using clear thresholds (attendee counts or impact measures) so the public can understand requirements. Council members and the public raised neighborhood nuisance and first-amendment demonstration concerns; staff said the goal is to reduce unnecessary barriers while mitigating safety and liability risks and asked for further council feedback before drafting code updates.