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Josephine County, OR Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Application deadline
48 hours before the event
Required
Cleanup deposit
Issuing authority
Parks Director
Display rule
Permit visible through windshield
Enforcement
Director can revoke for violations

Summary

Running a special event or group activity in a Josephine County park takes a temporary permit from the Parks Director. The application has to go in at least 48 hours ahead of time and comes with a required cleanup deposit before the Director will approve it.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Josephine County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

§ 12.05.070. Fees and permits. A. The Director or Director's designee shall have the authority to issue temporary permits for the following activities: ... ... 3. To conduct any special events or group activities within any park. Application must be made 48 hours in advance and shall be accompanied by a cleanup deposit; ... No person shall engage in any activity described in this section without first obtaining a permit.

View official code

Full Breakdown

070(A), the Parks Director or the Director's designee issues temporary permits for several categories of park use, and to conduct any special events or group activities within any park is one of them. The application must be made 48 hours in advance and shall be accompanied by a cleanup deposit. The closing sentence of subsection A makes the permit mandatory: no person shall engage in any activity described in this section without first obtaining a permit, and the Director sets both the permit's duration and any reasonable terms and conditions that don't conflict with the chapter.

070(D). 070(B) requires the permit to be displayed prominently and visibly through a vehicle's windshield; an undisplayed permit is treated as invalid. 060(M) lets the Director bill the actual cost of cleanup, or withhold it from the deposit, if the group fails to clean up after using the site.

Violations & Fines

Holding an event without the 48-hour permit is unlawful under § 12.05.070(A) and separately listed as a prohibited act, to fail to secure a permit, under § 12.05.090(B). Under the chapter's general violation procedure at § 12.05.180, park violations are punished as fines set by the State Court Administrator for unclassified violations, doubled for a corporation, and the Director can also order violators to leave the park or bar repeat offenders from all county parks for up to 60 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need a permit for a group event in a Josephine County park?
At least 48 hours before the event, per § 12.05.070(A)(3). The application must come with a cleanup deposit, and the Director sets the permit's duration and any additional reasonable conditions before approving it.
What happens if my group doesn't clean up after the event?
The Director can charge you a reimbursement fee equal to the actual cleanup cost, or withhold that amount from your deposit, under § 12.05.060(M). Failing to clean up is treated the same as any other permit violation, which can also lead to permit revocation.
What if I hold an event without getting a permit first?
It's a prohibited act under § 12.05.090(B) to fail to secure a required permit, and § 12.05.070(A) separately makes engaging in a permit-listed activity without one unlawful. Penalties follow the chapter's fine schedule for unclassified violations under § 12.05.180, and the Director can order you to leave the park.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Josephine County

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningLight Restrictions

All Josephine County rules

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