San Bernardino County, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 28.0305 Permit Required
- Activities covered
- camp, picnic, swim, hike, boat, campfire
- Special event application fee
- $200, § 16.0223(h)(7)(C)
- Enforcement
- Director or Park Ranger can revoke permit
- Shelter reservation fee
- commonly $10-$20 per site
Summary
San Bernardino County requires a permit before anyone enters a Regional Park to picnic, camp, ride horseback, swim, hike, boat, or build a campfire, with fees set by the Board of Supervisors and reservation charges for shelters and special events.
No person shall enter any Regional Park, operate any boat or vehicle therein, camp, picnic, ride horseback, swim, hike, or build or maintain a campfire therein, without first obtaining from the County a permit to do so and paying any fee as may be established from time to time by the Board of Supervisors.
(b) Any permit issued pursuant to Subdivision (a) of this Section may be revoked at any time without refund of any fee paid, for any violation of this Chapter, any rules, orders or directives adopted pursuant to this Chapter, or of other applicable local, State, or Federal law.
(c) Any person whose permit has been revoked by the Director or any Park Ranger shall immediately leave the Park and shall not return to the same Park for the remainder of the calendar day. (Ord. 1441, passed - -1968; Renumbered by Ord. 1610, passed - -1970; Am. Ord. 3254, passed - -1988)
Full Breakdown
Code § 28.0305 requires a County permit and any Board-set fee before entering a Regional Park to picnic, camp, ride horseback, swim, hike, boat, or build a campfire, across parks including Glen Helen, Prado, Guasti, Yucaipa and Lake Gregory. The Director or a Park Ranger may revoke the permit for any violation, forcing the visitor off the grounds for the day (§ 28.0303(b)). The companion fee schedule, § 16.0223, adds non-refundable shelter/pavilion reservation fees and a $200 application processing fee for a "Special Event" projected to draw a large crowd or fall outside normal recreational use.
Violations & Fines
Entering a Regional Park without the required permit, or breaking any park rule afterward, lets the Director or a Park Ranger revoke the permit and order the visitor off the grounds for the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to have a picnic at a San Bernardino County regional park?
What does it cost to reserve a picnic shelter or hold a special event at a county park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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