Policies

Updated August, 2024

• Town Hall staff will treat all patrons in a professional and courteous manner. 
• All patrons are asked to comply with requests from Town Hall staff regarding facility operations and emergency response procedures. 
• Town Hall allows small bags (purses, handbags, totes, diaper bags, etc.) into the venue for all Town Hall-produced events. Note: Some events may have different bag policies; always review individual event web pages for specific bag policy information. 
• Town Hall is on privately owned property; firearms and weapons of any kind, regardless of licenses or permits, are strictly prohibited. 
• In accordance with Washington state law RCW 70.160, Town Hall is a non-smoking facility and the use of tobacco products, vape pens, or e-cigarettes are prohibited.  
• Service animals are welcome at Town Hall; pets and other animals are not permitted. 
• Acts of disruption, protest, violence, threats, personal attacks, and any other actions construed as intending to disturb or harm Town Hall’s guests, staff, operations, or property will result in immediate ejection from the premises. 
• Guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol, and any alcohol purchased at Town Hall must be consumed on the premises in a safe and responsible manner. Town Hall staff will refuse sale to impaired or underage guests. 
• Flags, signs, and blunt objects of any kind are strictly prohibited. 
• Flyer distribution, petitions, and signature-gathering initiatives are not allowed at Town Hall-produced events, and all petitioners will be directed to the public sidewalk. (If you represent a community group that would like to table at a Town Hall-produced program, please see our tabling guidelines.)  
• We ask that event attendees please refrain from wearing strong perfumes in consideration of our scent-sensitive patrons. 

Town Hall staff may intervene where necessary to help ensure that the above expectations are met. Guests who choose not to abide by these policies will be subject to ejection and may also be in violation of city ordinances resulting in possible arrest and prosecution. 

Updated August, 2024

Masking is welcomed for all patrons, presenters, and employees. Some speakers or rental partners may require masking at their event; please carefully review the website description of each event prior to attending.  

Please do not attend any events if you feel sick, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have any of the following symptoms: 

• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Shortness of breath 
• Trouble breathing 
• Fever or chills 
• Loss of smell or taste 

Please contact patronservices@townhallseattle.org for any questions related to ticketing. If your ticket was not purchased through Town Hall Seattle (in the case of certain rental events), please contact the organization directly for their ticketing and refund policies. 

Building Operations 

The Town Hall building has a modern HVAC system (installed in 2019) that incorporates increased air circulation and improved fresh air intake. Filters throughout the building are replaced on a regular maintenance schedule. 

For all visitors to the building: 

• Touch-free hand sanitizer stations are installed at the entrances, and hand sanitizer dispensers are located throughout the facility. 
• Complimentary disposable masks are available at the Box Office. 

Updated September, 2023

• We believe that, together, we can model the kind of society we want to share. Therefore, we ask ourselves to embrace curiosity, engage thoughtfully with complicated conversations, maintain space for differing points of view, remain open to continual learning, and–above all–to treat one another with respect and kindness. Alongside this approach to creating a welcoming space, we want to make several tenets explicit:
  • Hate speech is prohibited on our stages and within our spaces. Hate speech is speech that attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group on the basis of sex, gender, race, sexuality, disability, age, religion, country of origin or background. If you experience hate speech while visiting Town Hall, please speak to a member of our staff or e-mail us at access@townhallseattle.org so that we can take action.
  • Harassment will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, intimidation or bullying, uninvited physical contact, stalking or following visitors, and verbal comments that reinforce systems of oppression (related to sex, gender, race, sexuality, disability, age, religion, background, or any other identity). If you experience harassment, please speak to a member of our staff or e-mail us at access@townhallseattle.org so that we can take action.
  • When we disagree on a topic or are challenged by ideas, we’ll do so with empathy and civility. A wide breadth of perspectives, ideas, and philosophies are presented at Town Hall–and we value this diversity of thought. Town Hall exists as a non-partisan space where people can bring ideas into broad public consideration; we don’t expect to agree with every proposition or approach, but we agree to maintain empathy and civility when we disagree. Note: As outlined in the above bulletpoints, an individual’s or community’s civil rights or humanity are never open to challenge.

  Thank you! In partnership, we can create and nurture an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice can be heard.

Please note: These policies apply to events produced by Town Hall. They DO NOT apply to events produced by rental partners. For rental partner events, please reach out to the producing organization.

Recording (audio, video, or photography) of Town Hall-produced events is permitted only with prior permission. Requests must be made at least one week prior to the event.

Email requests to communications@townhallseattle.org

General guidelines:

• Approaching the speaker the night of event for an interview is not permitted.
• Bring an appropriate written release form for signature by the speaker.
• Credit Town Hall as the event producer and notate venue.
• The person who receives permission to record at Town Hall is responsible for the adherence to Town Hall protocols by any and all people who record on behalf of their organization.

Night of Event:

• Check in with the House Manager upon arrival.
• Be fully qualified to operate their own equipment without assistance from Town Hall staff.
• Set up and be ready to go 15 minutes prior to the time when doors open to the public. This includes, but is not limited to, cords taped down or covered by mats, cases and unused equipment stored in an area designated by the House Manager, and line level from sound board set and ready.
• Supply all necessary equipment (including cords, mats, batteries, etc.).
• Work with existing Town Hall lighting. Supplemental lighting is not allowed.
• Politely abide with all decisions and requests made by our House Manager or Sound Technician regarding camera placement and all other matters pertaining to the event.
• Be present at all times during the event.
• Clean up and remove all refuse before leaving the venue.
• Respect the integrity of the event for the audience. If you are here as a documentarian, please refrain from participating in the Q&A.
• The House Manager is the official liaison to the speaker. Please channel all inquiries for the speaker through the House Manager.

Failure to follow any of the protocols listed above will result in denial of permission to record future events. Town Hall House Management reserves final decision-making authority.

Please note: these policies apply to non-commercial recordings. Commercial requests are subject to additional policies and fees. Contact communications@townhallseattle.org for more information.

The following guidelines apply to events produced by Town Hall. Rental Partner events may have different policies. Please reach out directly to rental event producers for tabling info.

Town Hall allows partners or other community organizations the opportunity to set up a table to promote causes or collect emails for a newsletter during events. All tabling requests must be facilitated through our communications department in advance (minimum 48 hours notice) by emailing communications@townhallseattle.org. If a request for tabling is approved, the following guidelines must be followed:

• There will be no signature gathering at Town Hall-produced events.
• Requests to gather signatures will be directed to public sidewalks outside of the facility.
• No petitions.
• No initiatives.
• No signs in the performance spaces.
• Distribution of materials away from designated tables is prohibited. (Representatives must remain at table to distribute information about the featured organization.)
• Soliciting is not permitted.
• Table linens will not be provided.
• With prior approval for sales, concessions fees may apply (5% for CDs/books; 15% for general merchandise. Fee must be paid to Town Hall at the conclusion of the event)

MEDIA RIGHTS
Tabling parties agree to allow Town Hall Seattle to photograph or record their activities and permit use of such photographs or recordings for promotional and fundraising purposes. All media access and relations will be coordinated through Town Hall Seattle prior to event.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAW
Tabling parties will at all times comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations and order of federal, state, county and city governments. Tabling parties will also abide by all rules, regulations and directives of Town Hall Seattle.

NONDISCRIMINATION
Tabling parties will not discriminate by segregation or otherwise against any person or persons because of age, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation or physical disability in furnishing or by refusing to furnish such person(s) use of service.

Please contact the Event Manager (pre-show) or the House Manager (day-of-show) with any questions.

• Signature gathering on site will be permitted only by prior approval of Town Hall staff (Rentals & Booking Director).