Minnehaha County, SD Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 16 of Ordinance MC8-85, the county's Control and Use of Parks ordinance, requires anyone who wants to be in a county park after its posted hours to get a permit from the Park Board or its authorized representatives before the activity takes place. The request has to be in writing, and once the Board acts, granting or refusing the permit, it must notify both the County Sheriff and the person who applied. Section 17 sets the standard the Board applies when deciding: a permit can be issued if the proposed activity will not unreasonably interfere with public health, welfare, safety or recreation; is not reasonably anticipated to invite violence, crime or disturbance of the peace; will not create unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or law enforcement demand on the County; and if the desired facility has not already been reserved for another use at that day and hour.

The same section gives the Board authority to revoke a permit for violating any rule, law or ordinance, or for good cause shown. Section 22 backs the permit requirement with a parking rule: it is unlawful to park or leave a vehicle in any park after closing hours unless authorized by a Section 16 permit. Section 15 separately authorizes the Park Board to set and post fees for use of park facilities, which are collected at the entrance and apply on top of any permit requirement.

Because after-hours access is permit-only, anyone planning an evening gathering, reception or activity in a county park needs to apply to the Board in advance rather than assume the park is open.