You may apply for one of three types of permits:

• Recurring Use (standard application)
• One-Time Use
• Tournament Use (multiple teams on one or several consecutive days)

Submitting a permit application with all supporting documentation and field use fees or gym use fees does not guarantee that you will receive the exact space you requested. Listing several options, in order of preference, will help our staff work with you to find the appropriate space and time to help fill your needs.

Please Note:

• Permit Applications and supporting documentation does not carry over from season to season.
• Permits are non-transferrable. As the permit holder, you may not allow a third party to use the facility.
• Permit holders are required to return any allocated space or time that will not be used.
• You may not request space if you already receive space through an existing permit (e.g. individual teams who receive practice/game space through a league application may not request a permit for additional space and time on their own).

 

Permit Application Instructions

In order to apply for a permit, you will need the following:

• Permit Application: Permit applications may be completed online using the Athletic Facilities Application Request System (AFAR). Creating a free AFAR account will enable you to access your permits, pay fees, submit permits and supporting documentation all online.
   
• Fees: All applicants must submit the appropriate Gym Use Fee or Field Use Fee associated with their permit application. Additionally, organizations must be up-to-date on all past permit fees.
   
• Roster of Participants: A roster of participants that includes the name, address, age (if under 19) and gender for each participant must be provided to receive a permit.  The information must be submitted using the Roster Template and Summary Sheet that is available when you apply in FAR or will be sent to you by your scheduler.  This information is used to 1) verify the application; 2) calculate the appropriate fees; and 3) determine the amount of space and time permitted according to the county's Field Allocation Policy and Gym Allocation Policy.
  • See also: Roster Information Privacy Guidance

 

Submitting Your Permit Application

Field and Gym Use Permit Applications are accepted online.

• Submit your permit application and roster materials and pay associated fees through the Athletic Facilities Application Request System (AFAR). There is no charge to create an account secured with a personally-selected password. All information is stored on Fairfax County secured servers. Please contact our office if you have any questions or need any assistance with your AFAR account.

 

Notification and Receiving Permits

Once your application is received, you will receive an email notification when it is entered into the system. You will receive a second email when you have been scheduled to finalize and receive your permit. Permits submitted by the application deadline (see below) should be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the season. Those submitted past the seasonal deadline should take about 2 weeks to process.

 

Application Deadlines

Athletic Fields:

• Spring Sports
  • Season Dates: March 1 - June 15
  • Deadline: December 1
• Summer Sports
  • Season Dates: June 16 - July 31
  • Deadline: March 1
• Fall Sports
  • Season Dates: August 1 - November 30
  • Deadline: June 1
• Winter Sports
  • Season Dates: December 1 - February 28
  • Deadline: September 1
• Tournaments
  • Applications are due by October 1 of the calendar year prior to your tournament
     

Please note the following restrictions regarding field season dates:

Fairfax County Park Authority Level 1 fields (lighted and irrigated grass fields) are available only from the second Friday in April to the end of the first full weekend in November. All other Park Authority grass fields are available only from the last Friday in March to the third full weekend in November.

There is limited synthetic turf field availability during the winter.

Gymnasiums:

• Spring Sports
  • Season Dates: March 16 - June 15
  • Deadline: December 1
• Summer Sports
  • Season Dates: June 16 - 2nd Saturday in August
  • Deadline: March 1
• Fall Sports
  • Season Dates: Monday after Labor Day - November 15
  • Deadline: June 1
• Winter Sports
  • Season Dates: November 16 - March 15
  • Deadline: September 1
     

Please note that High School gymnasiums are only available in the summer through July 31.