Shelby County, TN Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Shelby County Code § 30-167, in Article V governing Shelby Farms, prohibits sports events, pageants, reenactments, regattas, entertainments and similar public spectator attractions unless the executive officer or superintendent has given written permission first. That official cannot rubber-stamp a request: the permit may issue only after a finding that holding the event will not be inconsistent with the purposes for which Shelby Farms is established and maintained, and that it will cause the minimum possible interference with the general public's use of the area. Once granted, the permit may carry reasonable conditions and restrictions on the event's duration and the amount of area it occupies, all aimed at protecting the park and the public's ongoing use of it.

This permit requirement sits alongside, but is distinct from, § 30-166's separate rule for public meetings, assemblies and demonstrations, which uses a different standard built around free assembly rather than spectator attractions. Article V's rules, including § 30-167, apply only within the boundaries of Shelby Farms under the purpose clause at § 30-161; they do not reach Memphis or the county's other municipalities. Shelby Farms has been run by the nonprofit Shelby Farms Park Conservancy since March 2, 2007 under Resolution No. 37, so event applications go through the Conservancy's park administration acting as executive officer/superintendent.

Article V sets no dedicated fine of its own for a § 30-167 violation, so the countywide general penalty at § 1-4 applies, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department enforces the article under § 30-169.