Yakima County, WA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

040 sets the reservation procedure for anyone wanting to hold a specific-use event at a Yakima County park facility, whether a picnic shelter, activity center, or other reservable space. Applications go through the facility manager or the department office and are handled first-come, first-served; the code notes that some facilities are not subject to reservations and are so posted on a map at the facility and department office, so not every space in a park can be locked in ahead of time. Every reservation is subject to current department rules, regulations, policies and fee schedules, meaning the fee amount and any additional requirements can change season to season.

The parks department keeps broad discretion: it reserves the right to deny use of any park facility to any person, persons or group, and can require an extra damage deposit or added health, safety, and law enforcement coverage at the applicant's own expense whenever it has reasonable cause to do so. Crucially, a reservation is not locked in on request alone. Under the section's fourth clause, no reservation will be guaranteed or effective until an appropriate fee is received by the department, all required permits are secured and all additional department requirements have been satisfied, so an applicant who has only submitted paperwork does not yet hold the date.

100 requires liability insurance of at least $300,000 combined single-limit coverage for reserved events, with alcohol coverage added if the parks director permits alcohol service.