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

Section 126-5 of the Haverford Township Code lists five uses of a park that are prohibited unless a permit is first obtained from the Township Secretary: sale of merchandise, use of fireworks, musical or theatrical entertainments, overnight camping, and parties or gatherings in excess of 15 persons for any purpose whatever. The 15-person threshold was set by Ord. No. 2820 on 10-10-2017, so a birthday party, team banquet or family reunion past that headcount needs paper before anyone sets up.

Section 126-9 sets the procedure. Special permits for the use of parks are issued by the Township Secretary upon application. The application must be made to the Township Secretary in writing at least 24 hours before the applicant intends to use the park. The section says no charge shall be made for such permits, and it also says permit fees are fixed by resolution of the Board of Commissioners, which can be amended from time to time, so the dollar figure lives in the Board's resolution and not in the code itself. Whoever holds the permit is liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person through the negligence or fault of the applicant or the applicant's servants, agents or employees.

Other park rules still apply at a permitted event. The general park regulations bar any person, vendor or business entity from selling goods, food, drink or services on Township park or playground property unless the seller is a nonprofit organization, association or civil group authorized by the Board of Commissioners to run community events or sporting programs. Section 126-7 puts enforcement in the hands of the Haverford Township Police Department, which supervises persons and property in all parks.

Township property that is not a park follows a parallel rule in § 126-13, with a threshold of 25 persons, and building rentals run through Article IV, where § 126-30 asks for an application at least 15 days before use and $1,000,000 in liability insurance unless waived.