Park Reservation/Special Event Permit Application

FOR PARK USE, BLOCK PARTIES, PARADES, RUNS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS

PARK RESERVATIONS FOR 2024 WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 1, 2024.

 

CITY OF YORK EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION INFORMATION

Special Event Permit Office Hours BY APPOINTMENT ONLY:

Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM

Office Location:  York City Parks & Recreation, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 101 South George Street, York PA 17401

Phone:  717-854-1587

E-mail Questions to:  webpermits@yorkcity.org

PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY before COMPLETING THE APPLICATION.

Absolutely no activities may be conducted in Kiwanis Lake. Individuals may not enter the lake at any time.

  • Absolutely no parking on the grass at any park location.  Violators will be ticketed.
  • Restrooms are not available after September 30th at the following locations: Farquhar, Lincoln, and Memorial Parks.
  • The City DOES NOT PROVIDE portable restrooms or event planning services.  Contact a private vendor for service.
  • Special Event Permits shall not be assigned or transferred. NO RAIN DATES
  • Permit Requirements

    A permit is required if your event meets the following criteria as listed in the City of York Park Conduct Ordinance.

    ARTICLE 741 – PARK CONDUCT

    (c) Permit Requirements

    (1) General. No person shall, without a permit:

    A. Conduct a public assembly, parade, picnic, or other event involving more than twenty-five individuals;

    C. Conduct an exhibit, music or dramatic performance, fair, circus, concert, play, radio or television broadcast, other than a news transmission involving more than twenty-five individuals;

    D. Exhibit or display any motion picture, television program, light or laser light display, or similar event involving more than twenty-five individuals;

  • Permit Submission Deadlines
    • Ceremony – 30 Days
    • Picnic/Celebration/Reunion – 30 Days
    • Festival/Concert – 60 Days
    • School Activity/Event – 30 Days
    • Organization/Community Event – 30 Days
    • Block Party – 30 Days
    • Run – Require 90 Days Approval
    • Parade – Require 90 Day Approval
    • Sports Program – 30 Days
    • Commercial Restaurant – 60 Days

    APPLICATION SUBMISSION
    All event applications must be submitted using the online application.  Applications must be submitted prior to the specified deadline dates as listed above.

    A $50.00 late fee will be charged to any permit submitted less than the required application submission time frames.  The payment of the late fee does NOT guarantee that a permit can or will be approved in time for the event.  If upon receipt of the application it is determined that the application cannot be reviewed and approved in time for your event, you will be notified by City staff.

    All permit fees MUST BE PAID within ten (10) days of the application date. If payment is not received within the ten (10) days, your event date will be CANCELED and made available for other reservation requests.

  • General Information

    If you are having an event that requires City of York involvement, but the event will not be held on City property, please contact our office immediately to discuss your event (717-854-1587 – 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, e-mail webpermits@yorkcity.org)

    To apply for a park reservation or special event permit, please complete the application and submit it for review and City approval.

    The permit application is detailed and will ask several questions so that we can best meet the needs of your event.

    Several event type options are available to select to assist with defining your event.  Please review the options carefully to see what best “fits” your event.

    Event type options are as follows:

    • Ceremony (Description: Wedding, Recognition, Dedication)
    • Picnic/Celebration/Reunion (Description: Birthday Party, Family/School/ Reunion, Graduation, Bridal/Baby Shower, Reception)
    • Festival/Concert (Description: Large event that involves security, food vendors, merchandise vendors, music, entertainment, activities, public invited to attend).
    • School Activity/Event (Description: Year-End Party, Homecoming, Field Trip, Picnic)
    • Organization/Community Event (Description: Public invited to celebrate and share common interests and goals such as Health Fairs, National Night Out, and First Friday)
    • Block Party (Description: Neighborhood event with street closures.  A block party cannot be held in a City Park.)
    • Run (Description: Competitive, Non-competitive racing, marathons, 5K, 10K)
    • Parade (Description: Public procession, celebrating a special day with marching bands, floats, and individual marchers)
    • Sports Program/Tournament/Event (Description: Organized sporting event featuring team competition, and games, held one day or over several days.)
    • Commercial Restaurant (Description: Licensed established business, serving food and beverages to the public.)

    If your event requires street closures.  Please make note of the following:

    • Barricade Placement – Barricades are dropped and placed at the intersection as requested on the permit between 7 am & 3:30 pm before your event. For weekend events, barricades will be dropped and placed on Friday, between 7 am & 3:30 pm.  If a Holiday falls on a Friday, barricades will be dropped and placed the day before.

    LIABILITY INSURANCE
    When requesting use of the Reid Menzer Skateboard Park -OR- if inflatables will be a part of the event, the applicant must provide proof of liability insurance for $1,000,000 naming the City of York as an additional insured for the day of the event.  The permit will not be released until the document is provided.

    INFLATABLES
    Inflatables: Placement is subject to City of York Park approval. PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE for $1,000,000 naming the City of York as an additional insured for the date of the event IS REQUIRED. The permit will not be issued without proof of liability insurance.

    CANCELLATION POLICY
    Cancellations must be made in writing 14 days before the event date. The approved copy of the permit (if it has been issued) must be returned to Parks & Recreation Office before a refund will be processed.  A $6.00 administrative fee will be deducted from your refund.  All event cancellation requests that are not received within the 14 days (before the event date) are subject to a 50% administrative fee to be deducted from your refund.  Events cancelled by the City of York will be refunded in full.  Refunds will not be issued due to inclement weather.  ALL events are held at rain or shine at the applicant’s discretion.

    EVENT CLEAN-UP
    We kindly ask that you clean the area after your event. Applicants will be billed for excessive clean-up.

    COURTESY NOTIFICATION
    If you are having a Block Party, please notify your neighbors of the event in a timely manner.

  • Event Permit Fee Schedule

    PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE

    All event permit fees MUST BE PAID within ten (10) days of the application date.  If payment is not received within ten (10) days, your event date will be CANCELED and made available for other reservation requests.

    How Do I Pay for My Permit?

    You will be prompted during the application process to select how you would like to pay for the permit.

    • Pay In-Person by APPOINTMENT ONLY OR
    • Pay by Mail 

    If you select the appointment option for payment, you will be contacted by a staff member of the Parks & Recreation Bureau within 2-3 business days to schedule an appointment. The appointment is to ensure that we can assist you as efficiently as possible. Please do not “walk in” without an appointment to pay the facility reservation fee. You will experience delays as we assist other customers who have scheduled appointments.

    If you select the mail payment option, please follow the instructions for mailing below:

    Acceptable Methods of Payment:  We DO NOT ACCEPT Cash or Credit Card 

    Check OR Money Order ONLY (made payable to the City of York)  

    **Mailing Address:  Parks & Recreation Bureau, 101 South George Street, York, PA 17401, Attention: Event Permit City Park  

    Upon submission of your application, you will receive an e-mail notification indicating that your request for a permit has been received by the City of York. Also included in the notification, will be detailed payment information. Please include the notification with your check or money order to ensure that your payment is applied correctly.  If you cannot include the notification, please indicate on the check or money order the name of the event and the event date.  

    Basic Permit Fees:   

    The basic permit fee applies to all city parks with exception of Farquhar Park Pavilion, Lincoln Park, Farquhar Park Band Shell, and Parades.

    Note Late Fee:  Permits submitted beyond the specified deadline date will be charged an additional $50.00.

    City Resident – $70.00 / day      

    Non-City Resident – $130.00 / day

    Farquhar Park Pavilion Permit Fees:          

    City Resident           

    Up to 25 people                    $ 45.00 / day

    25 to 50 people                     $ 70.00 / day

    50 to 100 people                  $ 95.00 / day

    More than 100                      $120.00 / day

    Non-City Resident

    Up to 25 people                    $ 70.00 / day

    25 to 50 people                     $130.00 / day

    50 to 100 people                  $175.00 / day

    More than 100                      $225.00 / day

    Lincoln Park Permit Fees: (Lincoln Park has a maximum capacity of 50)

    City Resident           

    Up to 25 people                    $ 45.00 / day

    25 to 50 people                     $ 70.00 / day

    Non-City Resident

    Up to 25 people                    $ 70.00 / day

    25 to 50 people                     $125.00 / day

    Farquhar Park Band Shell Permit Fee:

    City Resident

    $ 95.00 / day                            

    Non-City Resident

    $175.00 /day

    Parade Permit Fee:           

    City Resident/Non-Resident – $130.00 / day

    A Pennsylvania State Permit is required if the parade is on a state route. The application can be obtained by going to www.dot.state.pa.us Penn Dot application for Special Event Permit. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete this form and submit the application to us when complete.

    Commercial Restaurant Permit: $250.00 / day 

    STREET CLOSINGS / BARRICADES:

    There will be an additional flat rate charged for all barricades needed for the street closure.

    Barricade Fee: $40.00 (flat-rate)

    EXCEPTIONS:
    Parade, Run, or ANY EVENT located in Continental Square with Street Closings/Barricades: $110.00

    NO PARKING SIGNS:

    Parking Meters – To reserve a meter, it is $15.00 per meter per day.

    Non-Metered areas will require No Parking Signs at $1.00 each. The signs for No Parking must be purchased “in person” at City Hall, 101 South George Street, Finance Dept., 1st Floor. The fee is payable separately from the permit fee and is not included in the permit fee total. Signs must be posted 24 hours before the event for enforcement.

    SECURITY/FIREWORKS:

    Additional fees may apply as determined by the York City Police Dept. AND the York City Fire Dept. If the option is selected for security or fireworks, additional information will appear on the application in regard to the event needs.

  • ARTICLE 741 Park Conduct & Additional Rules

    If you would like to view Article 741, click the link below:

    CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE Article 741 “Park Conduct”

    ARTICLE 741 – PARK CONDUCT

    (c) Permit Requirements

    (1) General. No person shall, without a permit:

    A. Conduct a public assembly, parade, picnic, or other event involving more than twenty-five individuals;

    C. Conduct an exhibit, music or dramatic performance, fair, circus, concert, play, radio or television broadcast, other than a news transmission involving more than twenty-five individuals;

    D. Exhibit or display any motion picture, television program, light or laser light display, or similar event involving more than twenty-five individuals;

    741.03 GENERAL OFFENSES CODE (p)

    Be on park premises before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. unless participating in activities sponsored by the City/and or Advisory Council or Parks & Recreation.

    ADDITIONAL RULES:

    1. Proof of liability insurance may be required for some events.
    2. No public address system is allowed without permission.
    3. All trash must be picked up after your event and placed in the trash barrels. If this is not done, you will be billed for the time it takes to clean the area.
    4. Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on all city parks and public property.
    5. Band Shell – NO DECORATIONS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED TO BE TAPED, STAPLED, TACKED, GLUED, OR ATTACHED IN ANY WAY.
    6. By Executive Order of the Mayor, if individuals or gathering of individuals create noise that results in the police and/or City receiving two separate and independent noise complaints, they shall be in violation of the Park rules and engaged in disorderly conduct. Parks and Recreation staff and/or the police shall have the right to shut down/disburse the activity responsible for the noise complaints. Failure of the individual(s) or gathering responsible for the noise to cease making noise and/or leave the park when requested to do so shall be deemed disorderly conduct and a violation of the park conduct ordinance.
    Applicant agrees to faithfully observe and comply with the conditions, regulations, and provisions prescribed herein and by the ordinances of the City of York, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.  The applicant shall ensure that all guests, vendors, concessionaires, and exhibitors comply with the conditions, regulations, and provisions prescribed herein and by the ordinances of the City of York, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.
    Special Event Permits shall not be assigned or transferred.  No rain dates.   If a rain date is needed, a separate application for the rain date must be submitted, fees will apply.
    Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold the City of York harmless from any liability to any person resulting from any property damage or personal injury occurring in connection with the event caused by the applicant or the sponsoring organization, its officers, employees, or any person under its control.
  • Temporary Food Service Permit

    If serving food, a permit may be required. Upon checking the food option on the permit, additional information will appear on the application regarding the Temporary Food Service Permit.

    • Before moving forward with the Event Permit application, please review the instructions for applying for a Temporary Food Service Permit. 
    • It is suggested that you print or save the document for quick access, if needed.
    • CLICK to view the Temporary Food Service Instructions.

    Permit Fee: 

    • $35.00 for 1-3 consecutive days
    • The fee and the application for the Temporary Food Service Permit is separate from the Event Permit application fees.
    • The fee for the Temporary Food Service Permit will not be included in the Event Permit Fee total.
    • This fee is payable separately and direct to the Office of Permits, Planning and Zoning.

    Contact:

    • Health & Sanitation Enforcement Officer:  Cliffonda Stokes, Permits, Planning, & Zoning Dept., Office:  717-843-4948, Email: cstokes@yorkcity.org
PARK RESERVATIONS FOR 2024 WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 1, 2024.

Please note the following exception:
If your event will take place in January of 2025, the application can be submitted before the January 1, 2025.

  • BEFORE you begin to complete the application, have you READ the following sections:
    Permit Submission Deadlines (To make sure you are within the time frame for approval.)
    General Information – Event Type Options (To make sure you are selecting the best option to describe your event.)
  • To begin the application, enter the name of your event in the first box.
    As information is entered, additional questions will appear.  List the full details of your event.  Please answer all required questions.  Unanswered questions will be flagged in “red” and must be completed in order to submit the application.  After your permit is submitted, adding information to your permit will cause a delay in the permit approval process.
  • Fees will be calculated immediately upon completion of the application (see the bottom of the application for the amount due).
  • Upon submission of your application, you will receive an e-mail notification indicating that your request for a permit has been received by the City of York. Also included in the notification, will be detailed payment information. If your application is approved, your permit will be sent to you via the email that was provided on the application.

Questions, CALL ~ 717-854-1587 or EMAIL ~ webpermits@yorkcity.org.

 

THE APPLICATION STARTS HERE.  Please begin to enter the details about your event.

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