Charleston, SC Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 22-4 governs organized activity that needs reserved use of a park, park facility, recreational facility, recreation field, athletic field, tennis court or playground but does not need a special events permit under section 2-185 et seq. or a First Amendment demonstration permit under section 25-36 et seq. The code defines organized sports as any game or sport played by three or more persons, or by two or more teams that play or practice together regularly in a league or association. The city reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to demand a special events or First Amendment permit instead when it finds that in its best interest.

The Department of Recreation takes the application, which must be filed not less than 21 business days before the activity. A late filing is not void: the department has discretion to approve or deny it. Section 22-4(b) also sets September 1 of the current year as the date the reservation calendar opens for events scheduled for the preceding calendar year. The application must name the applicant, the organization's headquarters and responsible person, the activity chairman, the date, the specific location, the approximate number of participants, the start and end hours including set up and tear down, and a detailed description of the activity.

The Department of Recreation, in concert with the Department of Parks, issues the permit only after finding seven things: no substantial interruption of safe park activity or traffic; no diversion of so many police officers, in the chief of police's opinion, that normal police protection suffers; no undue crowding that interferes with fire and police protection; no reasonable likelihood of injury, disorder, excessive littering or a health hazard; no undue interference with other users; and a park whose size, location, primary purpose and surrounding neighborhood fit the activity. When two groups want the same facility, the earlier request has priority, and the department can deny or reschedule repeat bookings to protect other users and neighborhood tranquility.

Every permit carries the park permit fee structure: a $15 resident or $30 non-resident application fee paid at submittal, plus deposits, with all fees and deposits due 14 days before the event. Rental fees are doubled for non-residents. Park use for 0 to 100 people runs $50 for 3 hours, 100 to 250 people $125, and 250 to 500 people $375. Athletic fields cost $50 per hour for baseball and softball, $100 per hour for soccer, lacrosse and football, and $200 per hour for the Stoney Field synthetic turf.