Dakota County, MN Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Dakota County Ordinance No. 107, § 2.2
- Permit type
- Special Use Permit (SUP)
- Trigger
- 50+ attendees or exclusive area use
- Issued by
- Park Director or designee
- Transferability
- SUPs are not transferable
Summary
Dakota County requires a Special Use Permit for any exclusive or special use of park grounds, greenways, trails, or facilities, or for events expected to draw 50 or more people, issued only by the Park Director or a designee.
Special Use Permits (SUPs) shall be required for the exclusive or special use of park grounds, greenways, trails, or facilities, or for the use of park grounds or facilities when they are otherwise closed to the public, or for any use that would be considered a violation of the park ordinance.
SUP conditions:
1. SUPs are issued by the Park Director or designated representative.
2. SUPs are not transferable.
3. SUPs are required for any use which has, or which can reasonably be
expected to have, fifty (50) or more persons involved or for any use that could potentially have a detrimental effect on park property or other park users.
4. The permittee or a permittee's designated representative shall be in attendance at all times and have physical possession of the SUP or be able to produce the SUP at the request of any County staff and/or peace officer.
Dakota County Ordinance Number 107: Park Ordinance 9
5. All ordinance provisions shall remain in effect and will be enforced as though the same were inserted in said SUP.
6. It shall be unlawful for a person to violate any provision of a SUP.
7. Any SUP granted pursuant to this ordinance may be revoked upon the
violation by the permittee, or associated individual(s), of any provision of the permit, any Minnesota State statute, any County ordinance, any County Park rule or regulation, or for other good cause.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance No. 2 sets the general permitting rule for reserving county park space: a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for exclusive or special use of park grounds, greenways, trails, or facilities, for use of park areas or facilities when otherwise closed to the public, or for any use that would otherwise violate the park ordinance. SUPs are issued only by the Park Director or a designated representative, cannot be transferred to another person or group, and are required whenever an event can reasonably be expected to draw 50 or more people or could have a detrimental effect on park property or other users.
The organizer or a designated representative must be present for the entire event and must have physical possession of the SUP, ready to produce it for county staff or a peace officer on request. Every ordinance provision applies as though written directly into the SUP, so a permit does not exempt the group from any other park rule. It is separately unlawful to violate any SUP condition or to refuse to vacate an area reserved under a permit once notified. The county can revoke a SUP for violation of its terms, state statute, county ordinance, or park rule, or for other good cause, and the permit holder is liable for property damage or injury caused by their own negligence or that of people associated with their event.
Violations & Fines
Using park grounds or facilities for a reserved or large group event without a SUP, or violating a permit's terms, is unlawful under Section 2.2 and punishable under Minn. Stat. § 398.34 per Ordinance 107 Section 8.2. Refusing to vacate a reserved area is a separate violation, and the county may revoke the permit and eject the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to reserve a picnic shelter or field?
What size event needs a park permit in Dakota County?
Can my group's permit be revoked mid-event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dakota County
Compare Dakota County to another location·View the Minnesota special events & permits overview
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