Cleveland, OH Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Codified Ordinances § 133.34 lets the Commissioner of Recreation open recreation center community or meeting rooms and outdoor pools to private parties during regular operating hours, and also before or after hours, once the applicable fee is paid. The fee is set per staff person required: $68.00 per hour during regular operational hours, rising to $84.00 per hour before or after regular hours (§ 133.34(c)). Renting a portion of a recreation center specifically for a recreation use before or after hours carries its own $84.00-per-hour, per-staff-person fee under § 133.34(f), though qualifying groups from division (a), City branches/departments furthering their own functions, nonprofit or neighborhood groups such as block, street, or ward clubs addressing health, welfare, safety or housing issues, and City schools using the space for an educational or recreational purpose, can use the rooms at no cost or at half the division (f) rate.

Section 133.34(g) lets the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections use the rooms free for voting. Critically, § 133.34(h) makes clear the fee alone doesn't finish the job: "Any party renting a portion of a recreation center or outdoor pool under this section shall also secure a permit from the Director under Section 133.07 and shall pay any fee required for that permit." That folds the park-facility rental into the same citywide special-event permitting process used for block parties and festivals, coordinated through the Office of Special Events and Marketing, with the Director able to set prior-notice and scheduling conditions under § 133.07(b)-(c). Net proceeds from rental fees are deposited into funds designated for the Division of Recreation's programs (§ 133.34(i)).