Palm Beach Gardens, FL Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Small groups
- Under 50 people, apply any time before event
- Large groups
- 50+, apply 10 days ahead in writing
- Fee
- Set by parks division director
- Priority
- Residents over nonresidents on first-come basis
- Related permit
- Section 46-6 covers assemblies of 12+
Summary
In the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Code § 46-5 requires a reservation permit and fee to secure exclusive use of a park pavilion. Requests for fewer than 50 people can be filed with the parks and recreation division any time before the event, while groups of 50 or more must apply to the director at least ten days ahead.
(a)Application. Pavilion permits are available to reserve the exclusive use of pavilions in city parks. Applicants may apply for a reservation permit upon the payment of a fee to be established by the division director (hereinafter referred to as the "director"). When not otherwise reserved, pavilions are available on a first-come first-served basis, except that residents shall be given priority over nonresidents.(b)Issuance. For groups of less than fifty (50) persons, pavilion permits shall be obtained from the division any time prior to the planned event, provided that the facility sought is available at the time requested. Groups of fifty (50) or more persons who desire to use park pavilions shall submit a written request to the director no later than ten (10) days before the date of the event, indicating time, number of guests, activities, and any entertainment planned or desired.
Full Breakdown
Section 46-5 governs pavilion reservations in Palm Beach Gardens city parks. Subsection (a) lets applicants reserve exclusive use of a pavilion by paying a fee set by the parks and recreation division director; when a pavilion is not already reserved, it is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with residents given priority over nonresidents. Subsection (b) sets the filing timeline by group size: for groups under 50 people, a pavilion permit can be requested from the division any time before the event, as long as the facility is available at the requested time; for groups of 50 or more, the applicant must submit a written request to the director at least ten days before the event date, stating the time, number of guests, planned activities, and any entertainment.
All requests are considered in the order received. A related permit under Section 46-6 covers broader park activities, such as gatherings of 12 or more people, use of loudspeakers or amplifiers, sale of goods, posting signs, or using a generator, and carries its own fee schedule; Section 46-6(c)(1) exempts an activity already authorized under a valid pavilion permit from also needing that broader park-assembly permit. Use of a reserved pavilion must otherwise comply with all city ordinances and park regulations, and enforcement of the parks chapter runs through the police department, code enforcement department, and parks and recreation division under Section 46-3.
Violations & Fines
Using a park pavilion without the required reservation permit, or beyond the terms of an issued permit, violates Section 46-5 and Section 46-3's general duty to comply with the parks chapter. Chapter 46 sets no dedicated fine for a permit violation, so it defaults to the Code's general penalty in Section 1-18: up to $500.00 per day, up to 60 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead do I need to book a park pavilion?
Do residents get priority for park pavilions?
Do I need a separate permit if I already have a pavilion reservation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach Gardens
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Park Event Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle park event permits.