Brookhaven, GA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Where to apply
- Parks and recreation department, on a city-prescribed form
- Reservation fee
- Set by council schedule on file with the city clerk
- Fund-raisers
- Must show current secretary of state registration
- Refusal or revocation
- Based on health, safety, welfare and protection of city property
- Alcohol at a group function
- Separate permit from the parks and recreation department
- Sales or concessions
- Prior written permit from the parks and recreation director
Summary
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, a park area or picnic shelter is reserved for group activities by application to the parks and recreation department on a form the city prescribes, with a reservation fee paid under the council's schedule. Brookhaven Code § 19-22 lets the department refuse or revoke permits on health, safety and welfare grounds.
(a)Fees. The use of a city park area or picnic shelter may be reserved for a reasonable period of time for the purpose of group activities through application to the city and upon payment of a reservation fee in accordance with the schedule established by action of the city council, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.(b)Application. All persons desiring to reserve a park area or picnic shelter shall make application to the parks and recreation department, on a form prescribed by the city.(c)Fund-raisers at picnic shelters. Any person/group wishing to hold a fund-raiser at a city picnic shelter must follow procedures for reserving picnic shelters and provide verification of current registration with the secretary of state.(d)Refusal or revocation permit. The parks and recreation department reserves the right to refuse or revoke permits. Such a determination shall be based on health, safety and welfare of the public and protection of city property.
Full Breakdown
Section 19-22 of the Brookhaven Code governs reservations of city park areas and picnic shelters. Under subsection (a), a park area or shelter is reserved for a reasonable period of time for group activities through application to the city and payment of a reservation fee. The fee comes from a schedule established by action of the city council, and a copy is on file in the office of the city clerk. The Code section itself prints no dollar amount. Subsection (b) requires everyone who wants to reserve a park area or shelter to apply to the parks and recreation department on a form prescribed by the city.
Fund-raisers carry an added condition. Under subsection (c), a person or group holding a fund-raiser at a city picnic shelter must follow the shelter reservation procedures and provide verification of current registration with the secretary of state. Subsection (d) reserves to the parks and recreation department the right to refuse or revoke permits, and it ties that decision to the health, safety and welfare of the public and protection of city property.
A reservation does not cover everything that happens at the shelter. Section 19-23 bars serving, consuming or transporting open containers of alcohol in a city park except at a group function for which the parks and recreation department has issued a permit; the application goes to city hall on a department form with a fee set by the council, and the director or a designee can refuse or revoke that permit for cause. Section 19-34 requires a prior written permit from the parks and recreation director or a designee to sell merchandise, operate a concession or engage in commercial or charitable activity in a city park, and the permit must be on site with the organizer and available for inspection. Section 19-27 bars public address systems, loud speakers and amplifying devices in city parks without written authorization from the director or a designee. Under § 16-36(c)(6), erecting tents, canopies, tarpaulins or other temporary shelter requires a special permit issued by the city, and § 19-29(c) allows camp fires after closing time for organized groups only with written authorization.
Violations & Fines
Section 19-22 sets out the reservation process and prints no offense of its own. The prohibitions that a park event runs into sit in the related sections: alcohol without a permit (§ 19-23), sales or concessions without a written permit (§ 19-34, unlawful), and amplified sound without written authorization (§ 19-27). A violation of the Code is punished under § 1-11 by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00 or imprisonment in jail not to exceed six months, or both, unless the Code or state law provides otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a picnic shelter in a Brookhaven park?
Can I hold a fund-raiser at a Brookhaven picnic shelter?
Can the city refuse or cancel my park reservation?
Can I serve alcohol at a group event in a Brookhaven park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
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