Queen Anne's County, MD Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

The permit authority sits in Chapter 22 of the Queen Anne's County Code. Section 22-18 C says the Department may issue permits for use of County parks and facilities on rules and regulations the County Commissioners approve, and § 22-9 C repeats that the Department may issue permits for any facilities under its control. Section 22-18 A opens park property and programs to all members of the public, and § 22-18 B lets the Department set and post hours of operation. The Director can close any park property entirely or for certain uses, and the closing has to be posted in advance.

Money comes next. Section 22-23 requires park users to pay the rental fees for a permit or for use as the Department establishes them, and every fixed charge or permit fee must be paid in full before the use or event. No fixed charge can be waived without a written directive from the Director or the County Commissioners. Under § 22-8 C, the Parks and Recreation Board sets fees and charges for the properties and programs the Department runs, reviews them no less than annually, and the County Commissioners can amend or revise them.

Several activities inside a park need their own permit on top of a facility reservation. Posting notices or signs requires a permit under § 22-19 A, planting vegetation under § 22-19 G, enclosing an area or erecting a structure under § 22-19 O, and camping under § 22-20 N, which is authorized by permit only in designated areas and within the periods shown on the permit. A reserved athletic field gives exclusive use on the dates and hours the permit specifies, while artificial turf fields are available only through a permit from the Department under § 22-20 B. The Director must give written permission for fireworks, and alcohol needs a permit issued by the Director.