New Haven, CT Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 19-7 sets the procedure for a park or recreational-facility permit, which Sec. 19-5(1) requires for any organized event, assembly, public speech, musical program, festival or similar activity in a park area (informal picnics and New Haven school activities under staff supervision are exempt from the permit requirement). Applications must be filed with the director at the Parks Department office at least twenty-one (21) days before the date requested.

The application itself must state ten categories of information: the type of activity and the name of the person or organization proposing it; whether the activity is on behalf of an organization and, if so, that organization's name, address and phone number and its authorized agent; the name, address and phone number of the chairperson or director responsible for the activity's conduct; the name, address and phone number of the party to whom the permit will issue; the date of the activity; the specific park or facility, or portion of it, requested; an estimated attendance figure; the activity's starting and ending hours; if the applicant is acting on behalf of someone else, a written authorization from that organizer; and, for permits involving Lighthouse Point Park, Fort Nathan Hale Park, East Rock Park or the Margaret Fisher Memorial specifically, whether the applicant is requesting permission to build a fire.

Permit issuance is governed by the following section, Sec. 19-8: the director, with the police chief's concurrence and, where relevant, input from public works, traffic and parking, the fire marshal and building or electrical inspectors, may deny a request only if the site is already reserved for that day and hour (offering an alternative if available), the event is purely for product advertising or commercial profit, or the expected attendance, duration or sound amplification would disturb the surrounding neighborhood. A denied applicant can appeal in writing to the Board of Park Commissioners within ten days under Sec. 19-10.