If Park City feels busier now, that’s because it is. And it’s prompting city government to review the frequency, size, and timing of events that disrupt traffic, soak up parking, and heighten noise and crowds.

“Enough’s enough—there’s traffic everywhere,” City Councilman Steve Joyce remarks, echoing a complaint he hears frequently.

This fall, city council adopted regulations redefining how the special events team approves new happenings, particularly during event-heavy times. According to Jenny Diersen, the city’s events manager, the goal is to create calendar predictability for the community, while reducing impact on transportation and public safety. “We aren’t shutting our doors. We just can’t take more event impact during the busiest times.” 

In addition to reducing overlap and crowds, it likely means the city will not approve new, sizable events—now ranked on a scale from a level 3, such as the half-day Shot Ski shindig, to a level 5, à la full-throttle Sundance Film Festival—during 11 peak times. Last year, those high-impact events numbered 37. The new approach could even mean a few quiet, event-free weekends.

“It’s a delicate balance with many perspectives,” says Diersen. “We’re looking five years out. We don’t know if there will be more or less events, but there will be change.”

Change Councilman Joyce hopes creates that balance “and keeps Park City a desirable place to live.”