Hillsboro, OR Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- HMC § 9.32.060(F)(3)
- Gathering trigger
- 50+ people, unreserved area
- Park hours
- Dawn to dusk (or 1 a.m.-dawn closure)
- Rule-making body
- Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC)
- Base penalty
- $500.00, separate offense per day
Summary
Hillsboro parks are open dawn to dusk, and organized gatherings of 50 or more people are banned unless the group reserves an area available for rent from the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC). Vending, camping, live music production and fireworks in parks are likewise prohibited without PRC authorization.
A.The PRC will adopt by resolution rules for the safe and efficient operation of parks.B.Hours. Except for evening use authorized by the Council or PRC, the permissible hours of use for parks are dawn to dusk, except parks specifically designated for evening use that are closed from 1:00 a.m. to dawn.C.Fires.1.Fires are prohibited in parks, except in barbecue stands, pits, or fireplaces provided for that purpose by the City, unless prior approval is granted from the PRC.2.No fire may be left unattended and every fire must be extinguished by the user before leaving the park area....F.The following activities are prohibited within parks unless specifically authorized by this Code or the PRC:1.Camping;2.The production of live music;3.Organized gatherings or events involving 50 or more people unless they are within areas available for rent;4.Vending activities;5.The use of fireworks.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
060 gives the PRC authority to adopt resolutions governing the safe and efficient operation of City parks. Under subsection F, four activities are flatly prohibited within parks unless specifically authorized by the Code or the PRC: camping, the production of live music, vending activities, and the use of fireworks. A fifth item, organized gatherings or events involving 50 or more people, is banned everywhere in a park except within areas available for rent, meaning any group of that size must reserve and pay for a designated rental space rather than simply showing up.
and reopen at dawn; using a park outside those hours without specific authorization is itself a rule violation, separate from the gathering-size restriction. Fires are addressed separately under subsection C: open fires are banned except in City-provided barbecue stands, pits or fireplaces, or with prior PRC approval, and any fire that is started must be attended and fully extinguished before the user leaves. Motorized vehicles are confined to designated roadways and parking lots under subsection E. 005 make clear this subchapter reaches all City-owned or controlled public land and public facilities, including sidewalks, rights-of-way and Tri-Met property such as transit stations and shelters, not just designated park parcels.
36, which requires an application filed at least 60 days ahead and can take up to 15 business days (or 30, if extended) for the Manager to decide.
Violations & Fines
Because HMC 9.32.060 does not set its own penalty, a violation defaults to the Code's general penalty under HMC § 1.08.010(B): a fine of $500.00. Under HMC § 1.08.030, each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense subject to a separate $500.00 penalty. The City may also exclude a repeat violator from the specific park or facility for up to 90 days, or 180 days for continued or repeat violations, under HMC § 9.32.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold a birthday party for 60 people in a Hillsboro park without a permit?
What time do Hillsboro parks close?
Can I light a campfire or grill at a Hillsboro park?
What happens if I ignore the park rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsboro
Compare Hillsboro to another location·View the Oregon special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Park Event Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle park event permits.