Rochester, NY Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

The Parks Code requires a permit for a long list of activities under § 79-19A, unless the person is an authorized employee or holds written Commissioner permission. Among the fifteen listed acts: delivering a public speech or holding a public meeting, march or parade (item 4), which the code protects by promising permits "shall not be unreasonably withheld" and any denial "shall be based solely upon reasonable time, place and manner concerns"; holding a picnic or gathering of more than 50 people (item 9); conducting an organized game or activity (item 13); using a public address system (item 3); posting a sign or banner (item 2); and soliciting business or vending food (item 1).

"Organized game or activity" is defined in § 79-1B to include anything with printed promotional materials, more than 25 spectators, a fee, paid officials, or league play. The Commissioner issues these permits under § 79-23, which authorizes requiring proof of insurance or a security deposit as a condition of approval; every permit must be in writing and signed or authenticated by the Commissioner. Violating a permit's terms, or the underlying chapter, is grounds for immediate, non-appealable revocation under § 79-23B, and anyone whose permit is revoked is barred from getting a new permit for the same purpose for one year.

Permit-holders must keep the permit at the activity site and produce it on request from the Commissioner, staff or police (§ 79-25D). The Commissioner also sets separate use fees for athletic fields, tennis courts, bath houses and other special facilities under § 79-21.