Harrisburg, PA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 10-301.20 of the Harrisburg Codified Ordinances requires a permit from the Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Enrichment for any person who engages in, participates in, aids, forms or organizes an assembly or group of 20 or more persons for any purpose in a park, or who makes public speeches in which 20 or more persons are intended or anticipated to participate, when the activity requires a reserved space or occupies a portion of a park to the exclusion of others. The permit has to be carried by the person heading or leading the activity.

The application, under § 10-301.21, goes to the Director and states the name and address of the applicant, the name and address of the person sponsoring the activity, the day and hours for which the permit is desired, the park or portion of it, an estimate of anticipated attendance, and any other information the Director finds reasonably necessary for a fair determination.

The clock is short. Within three business days after receipt of an application, the Director or the Director's designee either grants the permit on reasonable conditions or tells the applicant in writing why it is refused. An aggrieved person has 10 days to appeal in writing to the Mayor, who applies the standards in § 10-301.22. If the Mayor fails to act within five days after the appeal is filed, the Mayor is deemed to have sustained the appeal and the permit is issued.

Section 10-301.22 has the Director issue the permit after finding that the activity will not unreasonably interfere with general public enjoyment of the park or with public health, welfare, safety and recreation, is not specifically intended to result in violence, crime or disorderly conduct, will not entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense to the City, and that the facilities have not been reserved for other use at that day and hour. Under § 10-301.20(B), a permit is not refused solely because of the nature of the organization or individual requesting it.

A permittee is bound by all park rules and applicable ordinances under § 10-301.24, is liable for loss, damage or injury from the activity under § 10-301.25, and can have the permit revoked by the Director for a violation of any rule or ordinance or other cause shown under § 10-301.26. Section 10-301.17(I) requires permit holders to show the permit on request of an authorized person.