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Merced County, CA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Booking office
Parks & Recreation Division, 345 W. 7th St., Merced
Phone
(209) 385-7426
Group A advance booking
Up to 2 years for scheduled functions
Group B/C advance booking
Up to 12 months, first-come first-served
Tentative hold period
2 weeks before payment required
Cancellation fee (14+ days notice)
$15.00 processing fee
Facility curfew
Vacated by 11:00 PM unless waived

Summary

Renting Hagaman, Henderson, Winton or LeGrand County Park facilities in unincorporated Merced County runs through the Parks and Recreation Division office at 345 W. 7th Street, Merced. Group A meetings get two-year priority booking; everyone else books first-come, first-served up to 12 months out, with a two-week tentative hold before payment locks the date.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Merced County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A. Reservations for the use of park facilities at Hagaman, Henderson, and Winton County Parks must be made by contacting the parks and recreation division office, located at 345 W. 7th Street, Merced, or by calling (209) 385-7426. ... D. A facility may be tentatively reserved, either in person, by telephone, or written request and held for a period of up to two weeks. An application and agreement for the use of the park facilities must be completed and signed and rental fee paid (if applicable) within the two-week period or the tentative reservation will automatically be cancelled. E. Any reservation that is cancelled with at least two weeks prior notice to the reservation date will be assessed a $15.00 processing fee. F. Reservations cancelled less than two weeks of the reservation date will forfeit the total rental fee, no exceptions.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).

Full Breakdown

070 sets the reservation procedure for county park facilities. Group A organizations may submit a list of desired meeting dates up to two years ahead, and requests filed within one year of the date are handled first-come, first-served. Group B and Group C reservations are accepted up to 12 months in advance for all facilities; a group that has held the same facility on the same holiday for five consecutive years can rebook that holiday slot up to two years out, but pays a fee 40% above the standard rental rate, calculated one year before the reservation date.

Any facility can be tentatively held in person, by phone, or in writing for up to two weeks; the applicant must sign the use agreement and pay the rental fee within that window or the hold is automatically cancelled. Reservations are limited so the Public Works Department's Parks and Recreation Division can schedule custodial coverage, and no reservations are accepted for Christmas Day or New Year's Day at all. 120) also pay a $100 permit fee at a reservable area, $300 at a non-reservable area, or $20 for a peaceable assembly, on top of the facility rental. unless the Director of Public Works grants a later time.

Violations & Fines

Cancelling at least two weeks before the reservation date costs a flat $15.00 processing fee. Cancelling with less than two weeks' notice forfeits the entire rental fee with no exceptions, and a group that reserves a facility but never shows up loses the whole rental fee paid, per § 5.60.070(E) through (G). The Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation Division, enforces these terms and collects all fees under § 5.60.110.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead can I reserve a Merced County park facility?
Group B and Group C individuals or organizations can book any facility up to 12 months in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. Group A organizations with recurring scheduled meetings may submit their requested dates up to two years ahead under § 5.60.070(B).
What if I need to cancel my reservation?
Cancel at least two weeks before your date and the county keeps a $15.00 processing fee, refunding the rest. Cancel less than two weeks out and you forfeit the entire rental fee with no exceptions, per § 5.60.070(E)-(F).
Can I hold a facility without paying right away?
Yes. You can tentatively reserve a facility in person, by phone, or in writing for up to two weeks. You must sign the use agreement and pay the rental fee within that period or the county automatically cancels the hold, per § 5.60.070(D).
Is there a curfew on reserved county park facilities?
All reservation facilities must be cleaned and vacated by 11:00 PM unless the Director of Public Works permits a later time, per § 5.60.070(J). Reservations are also never accepted for Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Merced County

All Merced County rules

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