Chatham County, GA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Director of Public Works and Park Services
- Neighborhood park hours
- 8 a.m. to dark (§23-101(1))
- Other county park hours
- 8 a.m. to 10/11 p.m. (§23-101(2))
- Camping
- Banned unless event-permitted (§23-101(3))
- Penalty range
- $10-$100 fine or 30 days jail (§23-104)
Summary
Chatham County bans camping and overnight gatherings in its county parks unless the Director of Public Works and Park Services issues a permit for an authorized event. Neighborhood parks close at dark; other county parks close at 10 p.m. in fall and winter and 11 p.m. in spring and summer, per Code of Chatham County Sec. 23-101.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to be present, stand around or assemble in any County owned or operated parks, grounds or recreational facilities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the fall and winter and 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the spring and summer with the exception of Neighborhood Parks... It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to camp in any County owned or operated parks, grounds or recreational facilities, except in conjunction with a County permitted event as may be specifically authorized by the Director of Public Works and Park Services or his/her designee. A permit is required as provided by Public Works and Park Services.
Full Breakdown
Sec. until dark each day. Sec. in spring and summer. The Director of Public Works and Park Services reviews compliance with the Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance for gatherings held on that property. Sec. 23-101(3) separately bars camping, defined to include sleeping in a temporary shelter, sleeping outdoors, or cooking over an open flame, in any county park at any time, with one exception: camping tied to a County-permitted event that the Director of Public Works and Park Services or a designee has specifically authorized in advance.
That authorization is the mechanism organizers must use to reserve a county park for an overnight festival, gathering, or similar special event. Sec. 23-102 separately bars alcohol and controlled substances in these parks except at boat ramps and fishing piers, and Sec. 23-103 bars boisterous, indecent, vulgar, or profane conduct on park grounds county-wide, backed by the same enforcement scheme as the hours and camping rules.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 23-104 fines anyone convicted of violating Chapter 23, including unauthorized camping or an after-hours gathering, not less than $10 nor more than $100, or up to 30 days in the County Jail, or both, at the trial judge's discretion. A minor who has already received a warning faces the same range of penalties before the Recorder's Court of Chatham County or another court with jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reserve a Chatham County park for a private gathering?
What time do Chatham County parks close?
What's the penalty for violating park rules in Chatham County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chatham County
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