Burke County, NC Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 50-103 puts the parks and recreation department in charge of permits for use of county parks and recreation areas, with the board of commissioners setting the permit forms and fee schedule from time to time. Beyond a basic reservation, § 50-122 requires anyone selling or publicly distributing drinks, food or similar goods on park property, including at an organized event, to get written authorization from the parks and recreation director or a designee; in some cases that authorization comes through a formal contract, and the director weighs health considerations, insurance coverage, and the appropriateness of the activity given its time, place and circumstances before signing off.

The article notes it is not meant to discourage churches, civic groups and nonprofits from using county property. Other provisions layer onto an event permit: a special use permit is required to shoot off pyrotechnics at a public exhibition (§ 50-114(c)), sound amplification equipment needs prior approval from the parks director (§ 50-118), and any camping tied to a multi-day event needs its own camping permit with fees paid up front (§ 50-109). S. 00 civil penalty per written citation, payable to the county finance officer within 72 hours, with each day of continuing violation counted as a separate offense.