Shasta County, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Group size trigger
- More than 25 people in one group
- Permit issuer
- Director of Public Works
- Activities covered
- Picnic, celebration, parade, service, or exercise
- Governing section
- Shasta County Code Section 12.32.040
- Default penalty
- Infraction; misdemeanor after 3rd violation in 12 months
- Extra covered parks
- Clair Engle, Akard, Shasta, Blue Canyon parks
Summary
Any group larger than twenty-five people must get written permission from the Director of Public Works before holding a picnic, celebration, parade, service, or exercise inside a Shasta County park. Shasta County Code Section 12.32.040 sets that threshold and bars anyone from taking part in an unpermitted gathering that size.
Not more than twenty-five persons in one group shall hold or conduct any picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise in any county park without the prior written permission of the director of public works, and no person shall take part in any picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise held or conducted contrary to the provisions of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code: Supplement 22).
Full Breakdown
040 caps informal gatherings at twenty-five people before a permit kicks in: no group over that size may hold or conduct a picnic, celebration, parade, service, or exercise in any county park without the prior written permission of the director of public works. The same section makes it unlawful to take part in such a gathering held contrary to the provision, so both the organizer and attendees can be cited. 010, and that office is the one that issues written permission for gatherings above the threshold.
120: beyond the main developed parks, it also reaches Clair Engle Park, the Wynne Price Ball and Tennis Court, Akard Park, Shasta Park, Blue Canyon Park, the Bizz Johnson Ball Park, and the Fountain, Islands and Bus Stop Park, all in the Central Valley, Pine Grove, or Summit City areas. The ordinance sets no listed fee or processing timeline; applicants deal directly with the Public Works Department to secure sign-off before the event date. 120(I) and (M), so organizers planning vendors at a permitted gathering need separate sign-off for that activity too.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 12.32.040 is chargeable countywide under Shasta County Code Section 1.08.010, which makes most code violations infractions unless state law or the district attorney elevates the charge, with a misdemeanor triggered automatically on a third violation of the same provision within twelve months. Section 1.08.020 caps infraction fines under Government Code Section 25132(b) and sets misdemeanor exposure at up to one year in county jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a picnic in a Shasta County park?
Who approves park event permits in Shasta County?
Which parks does the group-size permit rule cover?
What happens if I hold an unpermitted event over 25 people?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shasta County
California rules heatmap·Compare Shasta County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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