Special Events & Permits in Shawnee County, KS (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Shawnee County, Kansas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Shawnee County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Block Party Permits

Want to close a street in unincorporated Shawnee County for a block party? General Code Sec. 26-23 lets the county engineer grant the closure for a $75.00 fee, while Sec. 26-24's barricade policy requires a written request at least a week ahead and a separate $150.00 fee to erect traffic barricades.

Shawnee County Block Party Closure Permit

Some Restrictions

Shawnee County Code § 26-23; § 26-24

Sec. 26-23. - Authority to close streets; closure fee. The board of county commissioners authorizes the director of public works/county engineer the authority to grant requests for permission to close designated street portions for the purpose of sponsoring block parties. Persons granted permission for such closure shall pay a fee of $75.00. Sec. 26-24. - Barricade policy. (b)Permission may be ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Park Event Permits

Booking a Shawnee County park shelter, the Lake Shawnee Event Center or a gazebo runs through the county parks and recreation department, with fixed rental windows, no silly string or confetti, and payment due in full at the time of reservation.

Shawnee County Park Shelter Reservation Rules

Some Restrictions

Shawnee County Code § 21-188 (Code 2006, § 21-252)

(a)The Lake Shawnee Event Center, Shelter No. 6, Shelter No. 3, Reynolds Lodge, The Garden House, Gazebo No. 1, Gazebo No. 2, Pergola, Reinisch Rose Garden and Doran Rock Garden, Big Gage, Westlake Shelter, Snyder's Cabin, Crestview Shelter, Lakewood Shelter, Garfield Shelter, Garfield South Porch, Carousel Room, and Children's Party House are available for year-round rentals...(f)Silly string,...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Street Fair Rules

Shawnee County treats festivals, fairs and carnivals over 100 attendees as regulated Special Events under Article XXXII of its Zoning Regulations, requiring a permit, a 30-foot setback from the street right-of-way, and administrative penalties up to $1,000 for running one without approval.

Shawnee County Festival & Fair Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

Shawnee County Zoning Regulations Sec. 32.01, Sec. 32.04, and Sec. 32.07

Any event open to the general public, primarily for entertainment or amusement, such as concerts, performances, festivals, fairs, carnivals, fairs, and rodeos, or similar public gatherings and total attendance...are less than 100 persons. Such events shall not include: the use of sound amplification; an event lasting more than one-day or a one-day event extending beyond the hours of 7:00 a.m. t...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Shawnee County ordinances

See every category we cover for Shawnee County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Shawnee County Ordinance Hub →