Kent County, MI Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

The Kent County Parks Ordinance requires a written permit from the Parks Director for organized events and paid activities in a county park. Section 22(l) gives the Director general authority to, from time to time, provide a written permit for sports, amusements, or events that are in the public interest or serve a park purpose. Section 24 adds specific requirements for admission and competitive events: subsection (b) makes it unlawful to charge admission or a parking fee to any County park or event therein without a written permit from the Director, and subsection (c) makes it unlawful to organize or participate in any game or competitive sport for money or any other valuable thing without a written permit from the Director.

00 or up to 90 days' imprisonment, or both. Separately, Section 34(d) requires a permit for any group with 100 or more people expected to attend, stating directly that violation of this provision shall constitute a civil infraction. Section 34 permits are issued and administered by the Director under policies the Director sets (Section 34(b)), a permit holder or designee must be present and hold the permit during the entire use (Section 34(f)), and the Director may revoke a permit for good cause upon any Ordinance violation (Section 34(i)). The Kent County Sheriff's Department enforces the Ordinance under Section 36.