Jackson County, MO Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- From Parks + Rec Director
- Minimum reservation age
- 21 years old
- Max fine
- $1,000 (§ 5093)
- Max jail term
- 1 year, county detention
- Scope
- County-owned parks, not Kansas City
Summary
Reserving a shelterhouse in a Jackson County park requires a permit from the Parks + Rec Director, and only someone 21 or older can make the reservation. This governs county-owned parks like Fleming, Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake, not Kansas City's own municipal parks system.
No person shall use or occupy any shelterhouse in any Jackson County park without first making a reservation with and securing a permit from the Director. Shelterhouse reservations may only be made by a person twenty-one (21) years of age or older. The person making the reservation shall be held accountable for the condition of the shelterhouse at the end of the use of the shelterhouse. Anything attached to picnic tables, restrooms, shelterhouses, etc., such as signs, banners, barricades, etc., must be removed and either disposed of or taken off park property at the conclusion of the event/activity. The person reserving the shelterhouse shall also be responsible for the actions of those in that person's party. (Ord. 1692, Eff. 10/25/88, Ord. 2210, Eff. 7/9/93; Ord. 2648, Eff. 04/01/97, Ord. 5610, Eff. 4/18/22)
5027. Archery Range Permits. No person shall possess, shoot, or use any type of archery equipment on any designated archery range without first purchasing the proper archery permit issued by Jackson County Parks + Rec. (Ord. 1692, Eff. 10/25/88, Ord. 2210, Eff. 7/9/93)
5028. Diving or Jumping From Bridges or Structures. No person shall dive or jump from any bridge or natural or man-made structure into any Jackson County lake or waterway. (Ord. 1831, Eff. 6/21/90, Ord. 2210, Eff. 7/9/93, Ord. 5610, Eff. 4/18/22)
Full Breakdown
Section 5026 of the Jackson County Code requires anyone wanting to use a shelterhouse in a county park to first reserve it and get a permit from the Parks + Rec Director. Only a person 21 or older can make the reservation, and that person is personally accountable for the shelterhouse's condition afterward and for the conduct of their group. Anything attached to picnic tables, restrooms or shelterhouses, signs, banners, barricades, must be taken down and hauled off park property when the event ends. Violating chapter 50's park rules carries up to a $1,000 fine or up to a year in the county detention center under section 5093, with each violation treated as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Using a shelterhouse without a Director-issued permit, or reserving one under age 21, violates § 5026; general chapter 50 violations bring up to a $1,000 fine or a year in county detention (§ 5093).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to reserve a shelterhouse in a Jackson County park?
Does this cover Kansas City parks?
Who can make the reservation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
Compare Jackson County to another location·View the Missouri special events & permits overview
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