Loudoun County, VA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

13 defines a 'public gathering' broadly, demonstrations, picketing, speechmaking, vigils, parades, ceremonies, meetings, rallies, entertainment, games, shows, concerts, picnics and any other form of public assembly, and requires a permit whenever more than seventy-five people are expected on County parks, recreation areas or outdoor areas adjacent to community centers. The application must reach the Director of Parks and Recreation at least seven days before the event and must list the sponsors' contact information, the supervising individual, expected attendance, dates and hours, whether sound-amplification equipment will be used, and the nature of the activity.

The County Administrator or a designee must grant or deny within 72 hours of receipt (weekend/holiday submissions count as received the next business day); silence within that window means the permit is deemed granted. Denial requires a written statement of reasons, and grounds are limited to specific findings: likely excessive property damage, more attendees than the space can reasonably hold, an incomplete or falsified application, refusal to agree to reasonable conditions, a scheduling conflict with an earlier applicant, or a proposed activity that would violate state law or county ordinances.

The County Administrator may condition a permit on reasonable time, duration and location limits and on measures like restrooms, potable water, parking, traffic control, fire/police protection, first aid, site clean-up, trash control, and bonding or insurance. Late applications can be excused if the delay wasn't the applicant's fault. County School Board and County government gatherings are exempt from this permit requirement.