Albemarle County, VA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Sec. 11-116 defines a special event as any planned gathering of 100 or more people in a county park, including a demonstration, athletic event, festival, concert, parade, protest, or public assembly, or as any commercial activity regardless of size. A permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation is required to conduct or participate in a special event unless it falls under a listed exemption, which includes spontaneous events, department-sponsored athletic leagues, school-board-sponsored activities, shelter reservations for fewer than 100 people, and events run by the Town of Scottsville in Dorrier Park.

Applicants must apply at least 15 days, but no more than 12 months, before the event, and the application must include the applicant's contact information, a description of the activity, the requested location and dates, expected attendance, and proof of special-event liability insurance. The Director must act on a complete application within seven days or it is deemed approved; a late application filed inside the 15-day window is deemed denied if not acted on. The Director evaluates permits on a first-come, first-served basis and may deny an application only for reasons listed in the ordinance, such as an incomplete application, unpaid fees, prior unpaid property damage, or a scheduling conflict with another approved event; the Director may not deny an application based on the political, social, or religious content of the event.

The County Executive sets an annual fee schedule by July 1, and fees must be paid at least seven days before the event or the Director may revoke the permit. A denied or revoked applicant may appeal in writing to the county executive within five business days, and the county executive must act within five business days. A knowing or willful violation of a permit condition is a class 1 misdemeanor.