Okaloosa County, FL Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 16-47, part of the beach and parks conduct article, lets the Board of County Commissioners or its designee waive restrictions that would otherwise apply, such as the amplified-sound, commercial-activity or fire rules elsewhere in Chapter 16, so an organization can hold a permitted special event on a county park, beach or recreational area. The written request must state the reason for the event, the location, the time, a point of contact and the sponsoring organization, and must reach Public Works staff at least 60 days before the event date.

Public Works, Public Safety and the Sheriff's Office all review the application, and Public Safety coordinates with whichever authority has fire-service jurisdiction over the event site before the Board of County Commissioners or its designee gives final approval. A permit will not issue until the sponsoring organization furnishes proof of liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence naming the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners as an additional insured, and executes a hold-harmless agreement indemnifying the county against any loss the activity causes. Every approved event must also pay a daily use fee and an appropriate security deposit before the activity, with both due in advance of the date requested; use of county electricity or water is not included unless separately approved, and additional charges apply if it is. The fee schedule itself is set by a separate Board of County Commissioners resolution rather than fixed in the ordinance text.