Rockingham County, VA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 3-4 bars anyone from staging, promoting or conducting a musical or entertainment festival, defined as any gathering for entertainment consisting primarily of musical renditions held in open, unenclosed space, in the unincorporated county without first obtaining a special entertainment permit from the board of supervisors. Fire departments, rescue squads, agricultural fairs, and events sponsored by or limited to local high school students are exempt. Section 3-5 requires the written application to be filed in duplicate with the clerk of the board at least 30 days before the festival date and at least 21 days before the board meeting that will consider it.

Section 3-6 gives the board 10 days from consideration to act, mailing a written approval or a written denial stating its reasons. Section 3-7 lists the conditions an applicant must satisfy: ticket and attendance estimates, the promoters' identity and financial backing, the property owner's consent, a sanitation and garbage plan approved by the county health officer, food, water and lodging plans approved by the health officer, a medical-facilities plan approved by the health officer, a parking, crowd and traffic control plan approved by the county sheriff, a fire protection plan, an outdoor lighting shielding plan, and assurance that amplified music will not be unreasonably audible beyond the festival property.

Section 3-8 makes permits nonassignable and nontransferable and lets the board revoke one for noncompliance. Section 3-9 caps entertainment at eight hours in any 24-hour period, measured from the first performance.