St. Joseph County, IN Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issued by
- County park board
- Fees
- Entrance/rental/activity fees set by board (§131.32)
- Revocation
- Board's decision is final (§131.35)
- Forfeited fees
- Retained by county on revocation
- Vehicle permit grace period
- 5 business days to pay citation
- Chapter fine
- Set by §131.99(B)
Summary
Reserving a shelter, field or other facility in a St. Joseph County park runs through a permit governed by Code Section 131.35: it's valid only for what its written terms authorize, and the park board or its representative can revoke it outright for any violation of park rules, forfeiting the fees already paid.
A permit to do any act shall authorize the same only insofar as it may be performed in strict accordance with the written terms and conditions thereof. Any violation of any law, ordinance or rule or regulation of the board or of any other county department by the holder of any permit of any term or condition thereof shall constitute grounds for revocation by the board or by its authorized representative, whose actions therein shall be final. In case of revocation of any permit, all moneys paid on or on account thereof shall, at the option of the board, be forfeited to and be retained by the county; and the holder of the permit, together with his or her agents and employees who violated the terms and conditions, shall be jointly and severally liable to St. Joseph County for all damage and loss suffered by it in excess of money forfeited and retained; but neither the forfeiture and retention by the county of the whole or any part of the moneys nor the recovery or collection of the damages, or both, shall in any manner relieve the person or persons from liability to punishment or regulation of the board of any other county department.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
32 lets the park board set entrance, vehicle registration, rental and activity fees, and requires anyone taking part in a fee-based activity, such as reserving a shelter or facility, to pay before use; a vehicle found in the park without the required daily or annual permit displayed is prima facie evidence the registered owner parked it there, and the county allows five business days to pay any resulting citation before further action. 35 governs the permit itself once issued: it authorizes an act only within its written terms and conditions, and any violation of a law, ordinance, board rule or another county department's regulation by the permit holder is grounds for the park board or its authorized representative to revoke the permit, a decision the code makes final.
On revocation, any money already paid toward the permit is forfeited to and retained by the county at the board's option, and the permit holder, along with agents or employees who caused the violation, remains liable to the county for any damage or loss beyond what was forfeited. 36 from the county's schedule of fines and fees.
Violations & Fines
Break a permit's terms and the park board can revoke it on the spot under Section 131.35, keeping any fees already paid and still holding the permit holder liable for damage beyond that amount. Separately, general park-rule violations tied to a permitted event are fined under the county's schedule of fines and fees per Section 131.99(B), which covers Sections 131.20 through 131.36.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a shelter or facility in a St. Joseph County park?
Can the park board cancel my event permit?
What happens financially if my park permit is revoked?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Joseph County
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