Special Events & Permits in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Any nonprofit group that wants to hold a public entertainment event, picnic, or gathering in Baltimore County needs a free permit from the Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections before the event, under Code § 21-9-104. If the permit closes a public street, the Director can require the organizer to keep a 10-foot emergency lane open throughout.
Baltimore County Public Gathering Permit Required
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-9-104(b)-(d); § 21-9-108(b)
(b)Permit - Required. A nonprofit person, club, association, or corporation shall receive a permit from the Director before the person, club, association or organization may hold a public entertainment, picnic, or gathering in the county.(c)Same - Application. For each public gathering, an applicant for a permit shall submit to the Director an application on the form that the Director requires....
Park Event Permits
Baltimore County requires a Department of Recreation and Parks permit for any exclusive group use of a park or part of a park. Permits go on a Department form, cost a fee set by the Director and approved by the County Administrative Officer, and cannot be issued to a minor.
Baltimore County Park Group-Use Permit Required
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 30-1-203
(a)Authority of Department to issue permits. The Department may issue permits for exclusive group use of a park or part of a park.(b)No permit issued to a minor. The Department may not issue a permit to a minor.(c)Liability of permit holder; duty to display. The holder of a group permit issued by the Department:(1)Is financially responsible for the destruction of park property by any person cov...
Parade Permits
A parade permit from the Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections is required before anyone may organize, join, or start a parade on a Baltimore County street, per Code § 21-9-105. Funeral processions, supervised school activities, and government agencies acting within their duties are exempt, and vendors can't sell within 100 feet of the route without the permit holder's OK.
Baltimore County Parade Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-9-105
(a)Parade permit.(1)Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person shall receive a parade permit issued by the Director before the person may engage in, participate in, aid, form, or start a parade.(b)Application. This section does not apply to:(1)Funeral processions;(2)Students going to and from school classes or participating in educational activities if the conduct is under the imme...
Street Fair Rules
Baltimore County requires a Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections permit for carnivals, circuses, lawn fetes, and similar outdoor entertainment, generally issued only to nonprofit or charitable sponsors. Applications go in 60 days ahead, and vendors face a 100-foot no-sell buffer on parade routes.
Baltimore County Carnival, Fete, and Street Event Permits
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-9-103
(a)Permit authorized. The Department shall issue a permit for a traveling carnival, circus, or exhibition to be held or staged in the county as provided in this section.(b)Requirements. The Department may issue a permit to a volunteer fire company, bona fide fraternal, civic, war veterans, religious, or charitable organization, or any entity meeting the specifications of § 13-603(b) of the Crim...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Baltimore County's zoning regulations let a restaurant or tavern in a B.L.R. Zone inside the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line, and on the county's final landmarks list, operate outdoor dining and accessory activities outside the building. Non-dining accessory activities must stop by midnight.
Outdoor Dining Allowed in B.L.R. Landmark Zones
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Zoning Regulations § 447.1
§ 447.1. - Outdoor restaurant and tavern uses and accessory activities. Notwithstanding other provisions of these regulations to the contrary, any restaurant or tavern in a B.L.R. Zone that is located inside the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line and on the final landmarks list is permitted to have restaurant uses, tavern uses, and accessory activities outside of the enclosed restaurant or tavern bui...
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