Atlantic County, NJ Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Chapter 97 of the Atlantic County Code splits park-use paperwork into two tracks. Section 97-38 requires advance reservation or notice for exclusive use of specific facilities: the gazebo in Gaskill Park, pavilions at Estell Manor Park, the lodge at Camp Acagisca, the shelter at Oscar E. McClinton Jr. Waterfront Park, the Lenape Park gazebos and pavilions, and Lenape Manor, plus use of parks for solicitation or leafletting, County-sponsored classes, and golf course tournament play. Section 97-39 separately requires a permit for camping, boat mooring over 48 hours, power craft on Lake Lenape, special events as defined in Article I, public assemblies, hunting, sale of merchandise, use of the challenge course, cutting of wood, metal detector use, and weddings; organizers of bike-a-thons or walk-a-thons must first get a letter of endorsement from the host municipality's governing body confirming traffic control at street crossings before the County will issue the permit.

Under Section 97-40, the reviewing County official weighs 14 factors before granting or denying use, including prior commitment of the site, suitability of the site for the size and nature of the activity, potential injury or damage to park resources, availability of emergency services, the effect on public access, and whether the application is complete with all fees paid. Section 97-41 sets a nonrefundable $5 processing fee for every permit or reservation request, in addition to site fees set by Section 97-42, which range from $30 per event for the Gaskill Park gazebo to $300 per six-hour block for Lenape East Catering Hall, and $100 per day for up to 100 people for exclusive use of other park areas.

The Lenape East Catering Hall policy also requires users to carry liability insurance naming the County as an additional insured for at least $1,000,000 and to sign an indemnification and hold-harmless agreement prepared by County Counsel.