Baltimore County, MD Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Under Baltimore County Code § 30-1-203, the Department of Recreation and Parks "may issue permits for exclusive group use of a park or part of a park," but may not issue one to a minor. The permit must be on a Department-approved form and issued only after payment of fees the Director sets and the County Administrative Officer approves. The holder of a group permit is financially responsible for any destruction of park property caused by anyone covered by the permit, and must display the permit on request of Department personnel or a law enforcement officer.

Separate permits layer on top of the group-use permit depending on what the event involves: § 30-1-201(e) requires a Department permit before erecting a sign or using a loudspeaker/PA system in a park; § 30-1-201(j) requires a permit before selling, hiring, or leasing merchandise, boats, or vehicles, or before using a court or field for paid private instruction; § 30-1-201(k) requires a written permit to use alcoholic beverages in a park, restricted to the designated area and hours on the permit; and § 30-1-201(w) requires a Director's permit before possessing or discharging fireworks or pyrotechnics on park property. Nonprofit public gatherings, picnics, and entertainment events instead run through § 21-9-104, which requires a Director-issued permit but no fee.

Violations of Article 30 are enforced as misdemeanors under § 30-1-301, and the Director may instead issue a civil citation with a proposed penalty up to $500 plus a right to a hearing requested within 15 days.