Ada County, ID Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Ada County Code 2-2-7 governs commercial and organized activity across all Ada County parks and waterways property, including Barber Park, Hubbard Reservoir and the Greenbelt. Subsection B requires the Board of Ada County Commissioners' prior written authorization before anyone operates any concession, business or enterprise on that property, a broader requirement than a simple facility rental that reaches vendors, outfitters and commercial event operators alike. Subsection A separately limits advertising and signage to a special area the Director approves, and reserves all advertising space in the parks system as county property.

Subsection C addresses group activity that falls short of a full concession: signature gathering, solicitation, and sales are barred from parking lots, streets, and pedestrian gate entry areas entirely, and elsewhere require a license from the Board or Director specifying the location and manner allowed, unless the activity happens during the course of a function or event conducted by the Ada County Parks and Waterways Department or at a booked event that has reserved the Barber Park Education and Event Center. That booked-event status carries through to other chapter provisions: Ada County Code 2-2-5(B) allows handheld sparklers only at booked events that have reserved the Center's outdoor patio, and 2-2-6(B) allows glass beverage containers, otherwise banned parkwide, inside the Center's building or attached shelters with the Director's approval.

Together these sections describe the county's park-event framework: general park use needs no permit, but commercial activity, organized solicitation, and specific exceptions like sparklers or glass all key off either a Board authorization or a reserved, booked event at the Center.