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Yavapai County, AZ Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permit requirement
Written Park Use Permit, Ordinance 2002-2 §103.B
Filing deadline
At least 30 days before the event
Enforcing office
Yavapai County Facilities Director
Penalty
Class 2 misdemeanor, Ordinance 2002-2 §111.B
Insurance/deposit
All-risk insurance plus damage deposit, 10 days ahead
Appeal window
5 working days for administrative review, §109
Permit duration
One day, unless approved as a Major Event

Summary

Any Commercial Event, Non-Commercial Event or Activity held at Yavapai County's Courthouse Park needs a written Park Use Permit from the Facilities Director under Ordinance 2002-2. Applications go in at least 30 days ahead with an administrative fee, permits cannot be sold or transferred, and breaking the park's Section 103 use rules is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

City-specific rules exist: Sedona has its own park event permits rules that differ from Yavapai County's county-level regulations. If you live in Sedona, check the city-specific page instead.

No Commercial Event, Non-Commercial Event or Activity shall be conducted on the Courthouse Park without a written Park Use Permit issued by the Director or designee. ... With the exception of Major Events as defined in Section 105, no Park Use Permit will be authorized for any activity or event in excess of one day in duration. ... A Park Use Permit application in the form specified by Yavapai County or its designee shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance for any proposed Activity, Commercial Event or Non-Commercial Event as defined in the Ordinance, and shall be submitted not less than 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Each application shall be accompanied by the appropriate Administrative Fee. No application shall be accepted without this fee.

Full Breakdown

Yavapai County Ordinance 2002-2 governs Courthouse Park, the plaza bounded by Cortez, Gurley, Montezuma and Goodwin Streets in Prescott around the county courthouse. B bars any Commercial Event, Non-Commercial Event or Activity, defined in Section 101 to include weddings, receptions, arts and crafts shows and concerts, without a written Park Use Permit from the Facilities Director. A of the Supplemental Rules and Regulations, an application must reach the county at least 30 days before the event and carries an Administrative Fee for every date requested; the Director accepts no application without that fee.

A caps most permits at one day, though Major Events under Section 105 can run longer, with additional set-up and take-down time available on written request. C requires Commercial Event sponsors to show IRS Section 501(c) non-profit status. Permits go to whoever applies first for a given date, cannot be sold, brokered or transferred to another entity, and issuance is conditioned on securing every other required city, state or county permit first. Section 106 requires indemnification, all-risk insurance at limits the Director sets, and a damage deposit filed no later than 10 working days before the event, refunded afterward less any repair costs.

Section 109 lets an aggrieved applicant demand administrative review within 5 working days of a denial, with a written decision due in 15 working days, and a further appeal to the Board of Supervisors within 5 days of that outcome. Section 110 lets the Director, with Board approval, set a full Courthouse Park Fee Schedule covering use, inspection, permit and damage-deposit charges.

Violations & Fines

Section 111.A makes any violation of the Ordinance or its Supplemental Regulations grounds for revoking a Park Use Permit and denying future applications. Section 111.B makes violating any Section 103 use rule, including holding an event without a permit, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Selling, brokering or transferring a permit to another entity under Section 1.A(iii) of the Supplemental Rules is also grounds for revocation or denial of future permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to hold an event at the Yavapai County Courthouse Park?
Yes. Section 103.B of Ordinance 2002-2 bars any Commercial Event, Non-Commercial Event or Activity on the Courthouse Park without a written Park Use Permit from the Facilities Director. Apply at least 30 days ahead under Section 1.A of the Supplemental Rules and Regulations, and include the Administrative Fee: the Director will not accept an application without it.
How far ahead do I need to apply?
At least 30 days before the scheduled date, per Section 1.A of the Supplemental Rules and Regulations to Ordinance 2002-2. Major Event sponsorship applications submitted by October 1 get a decision by November 1 absent good cause, and a current Major Event sponsor's renewal is decided within 30 days of a complete application.
Can I transfer my Courthouse Park permit to another group?
No. Section 1.A(iii) of the Supplemental Rules and Regulations says a permitted entity has no authority to sell, transfer, assume, broker or otherwise alienate its permit to anyone else. Doing so is grounds for revocation of the current permit and denial of future applications under Section 111.A of Ordinance 2002-2.
What happens if I hold an event without a permit?
Section 111.B of Ordinance 2002-2 makes violating any Section 103 use rule, including the permit requirement in Section 103.B, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Section 111.A separately allows the county to revoke any permit already issued to the violator and deny that person's future Park Use Permit applications.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yavapai County

All Yavapai County rules

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