Hillsborough County, FL Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 38-20(f)
- Permit trigger
- More than 50 attendees
- Review deadline
- 14 days or deemed granted
- Issuing agency
- Parks, Recreation and Conservation Dept.
- For-profit events
- Need County Administrator approval
Summary
Public meetings, festivals, rallies or political events expecting more than 50 people in a Hillsborough County park need a written permit from the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department before the event.
Public meetings, assemblies, music festivals, rallies and political events involving an anticipated attendance of more than 50 people are prohibited within the limits of any park unless the organizers of such events or activities obtain a written permit from the Department prior to the event or activity.
Supp. No. 1 CD38:6 PARKS AND RECREATION § 38-20
(2) Permits requested for the use of reserved park facilities for for-profit events and activities require the approval of the County Administrator or his designee. Permits requested for the use of reserved park facilities for not-for-profit events and activities can be approved by the Director.
(3) Prior to issuance of a permit, the applicant must disclose certain information to the Department, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. The anticipated number of persons expected to attend the event/activity;
b. Arrangements for sanitation and garbage disposal;
c. Crowd control information; and
d. Whether an electrically amplified sound system will be used and, if so, its output.
(4) The Department may establish conditions for issuance of the permit, including but not limited to, the following:
a. Requirements for the applicants/organizers to obtain reasonable security for the event/activity;
Full Breakdown
County ordinance requires organizers of public meetings, assemblies, music festivals, rallies and political events with more than 50 expected attendees to get a written permit from the Parks Department before using any county park. Applicants must disclose anticipated attendance, sanitation and crowd-control arrangements, and any amplified sound use; the Department can condition the permit on security, cost reimbursement to the County, and minimum insurance. For-profit event permits need County Administrator approval, while nonprofit events can be approved by the Director. Applications are processed in order received and must be granted or denied within 14 days, or they are deemed automatically granted.
Violations & Fines
Holding a qualifying event without an approved permit, or violating permit conditions, is enforceable as a County ordinance violation under F.S. § 125.69 and can lead to permit suspension, revocation, or a trespass charge under Sec. 38-36.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can gather in a Hillsborough County park without a permit?
How long does the County have to act on a park event permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida special events & permits overview
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