Skagit County, WA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Organized group activities, concessions, fundraising sales
- Issuing authority
- Skagit County Parks and Recreation Department
- Concession sales limit
- Nonprofits: members or arranged concessionaire only
- Financial-gain use
- Competitive bid, negotiated contract, or special permit
- First violation penalty
- $50 civil infraction
Summary
Community groups that want to hold an organized gathering, concession sale or fundraiser at a Skagit County park facility need a Parks and Recreation Department permit. SCC 9.41.010 puts group recreational activity under the Department's control and requires it be conducted under a Department-issued permit, with fee arrangements made in writing before the event.
The public recreation programs consist primarily of activities planned and directed by the Department, and secondarily of recreation activities of community groups brought under control of the Department when authorized by and conducted under permit issued by the Department. ... Skagit County reserves all concession rights in County-owned parks. Nonprofit groups and organizations may sell or arrange for a concessionaire to sell to members of their group or organization or to spectators using a park facility. Arrangements for permits and fees must be made with the Department and authorized in writing prior to the event(s).
Full Breakdown
010 states that while the County's own recreation programs are planned and directed by the Parks and Recreation Department, recreation activities of community groups are brought under control of the Department when authorized by and conducted under permit issued by the Department, making a Department permit the trigger for any organized group activity on County park land rather than informal day use. 170 layers on specific permit requirements for groups seeking to sell goods, run a concession or otherwise use a park facility for financial gain: the County reserves all concession rights in County-owned parks, but nonprofit groups may sell to their own members or arrange a concessionaire to sell to spectators at their event, provided arrangements for permits and fees must be made with the Department and authorized in writing prior to the event. 170(3)). 170(1)). 050, which merely carves out an exception for an event authorized by the Department from the after-hours closure rule.
Violations & Fines
Holding an unpermitted group event, solicitation or concession sale in a County park violates Chapter 9.41 and is treated as a civil infraction under SCC 9.41.020: $50 for a first violation within five years, $125 for a second, escalating to a criminal misdemeanor with up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail for a third or subsequent violation, plus possible ejection from the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a group gathering at a Skagit County park?
Can a nonprofit sell food or merchandise at a county park event?
Who controls concession rights at Skagit County parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Skagit County
Compare Skagit County to another location·View the Washington special events & permits overview
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