Louisville, KY Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit authority
- Director of Parks
- Exempt activity
- Peaceful First Amendment demonstrations
- Fee events
- Admission fees need written authorization
- Applies to
- Metro-owned parks, not home rule cities
Summary
Any event, use, or activity in a Louisville Metro park requires a permit from the Director of Parks before you promote, form, or hold it.
It shall be unlawful to promote, form, hold or assist in organizing any event, use or activity in a Metro Park for which a permit is required, without first obtaining a permit from the Director of Parks.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to observe or comply with conditions contained within a written permit issued by the Director of Parks.
(d) A permit may be immediately revoked at the discretion of the Director of Parks or his designee if the applicant has made a material false statement or representation on an application for a permit or if the applicant has failed to comply with any of the terms and conditions of an issued permit.
(e) It shall be unlawful for any person to charge an admission fee to an event held in any Louisville Metro park unless admission fees are expressly authorized in advance and in writing by the Director of Parks. Permission to use park spaces and facilities may be immediately revoked when an event requires admission fees without receiving express authorization from the Director.
(D) Camping and facilities.
(1) Camping. It shall be unlawful for any person to camp in any Metro Park at any time of day without a permit issued by the Director of Parks, and then only in areas specifically designated for camping by the Director of Parks. For the purposes of this subsection camping shall mean the use of a park location for temporary living accommodation purposes by the habitation of the
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 42.31(C)(3)(b) makes it unlawful to promote, form, hold, or assist in organizing any event, use, or activity in a Metro Park for which a permit is required, without first getting a permit from the Director of Parks. Peaceful First Amendment demonstrations are exempt if they don't block emergency access or conflict with another approved permitted use. Violating permit conditions, admission-fee rules, or camping outside designated areas are separate violations under the same section. The Director publishes a webpage listing which event types need permits and the associated fees.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful to hold or assist an unpermitted event requiring a permit, or to violate permit conditions; permits may be revoked for false statements or non-compliance. Penalty under § 42.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover events in Anchorage or Jeffersontown parks?
Can I hold a protest in a Metro park without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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