If you want to use park property for a Business Activity (such as selling things, charging fees for events, asking for donations, or running classes or camps), you need to apply for a Business Activity License. If your event involves a race, you also need to include a race route with your application.

What you need to know:

• After you get your permit, you’ll receive a financial form. You must fill out this form and send it back to the Park Authority within one month of your event (or every month if you’re using the park long term.) You’ll also pay any remaining balance at that time.
• If you have vendors at your event, they must collect and pay sales tax and apply for any other permits needed from the county or state.

Fees:

• For a Business Activity License, the fee is $75 or 15% of your total revenue (whichever is more). You’ll need to pay at least $75 upfront when you apply. Each park you use will need its own application and fee.
• For Group Walks, Runs, or Trail Use:
  • If you have 25–99 people: $50
  • If you have 100–249 people: $100
  • If you have 250–499 people: $200

These fees apply for events using park trails, parts of trails, or paths, whether or not the event starts or ends in the park. These fees do not apply to school cross-country practices, but they do apply to school cross-country meets held on park property. Keep in mind that these trail use fees are in addition to any other fees you might need to pay.
 

To learn more and apply for a permit, visit Large Special Application

You must submit one application and fee for each park you want to use, no matter how many activities or features you’re requesting.

When to apply:

• If you’re planning an event on park property that includes activities like a moon bounce, dunk tank, carnival rides, pony rides, or similar attractions - no matter the size of your group.
• If your gathering has more than 75 people in general or more than 25 people on trails. This includes public events like demonstrations, speeches, vigils, parades, ceremonies, rallies, concerts, games, shows, or other large gatherings.
• If you’re organizing any activity in a natural area of the park, no matter how many people are involved. You may need to fill out a separate form for the natural area use.

Fee Information:

• There’s a $25 application fee, which must be paid when you apply.
• For Group Walks, Runs, or Trail Use:
  • 25–99 people: $50
  • 100–249 people: $100
  • 250–499 people: $200

These trail use fees apply for events on park trails, parts of trails, or paths, even if the event doesn’t start or end inside the park. The fees don’t apply to school cross-country practices, but they do apply to cross-country meets held at the park. These trail use fees are in addition to any other fees you might need to pay.
 

Drinking alcohol in Fairfax County parks without the proper permits and agreements is illegal. Alcohol is not allowed in any parks or recreation areas unless it is part of a Park Authority program or has been approved through a permit. The use, sale, or possession of alcohol must follow the rules of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverages Control Act.

If you want more information or need to apply for a permit, visit the Alcohol FAQ web page.

You can only reserve athletic fields for the specific sport they are made for. 

Field Use Application

Important details:

• You must pay an hourly fee to get a permit to use the field.
• You can use this application to rent fields Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (not on holidays), and for any for-profit events.
• If you want to rent a field outside of these hours for a nonprofit group, visit Athletic Services and Community Use Scheduling.

Fees:

• Grass fields: $50 per hour
• Synthetic fields: $100 per hour
• If lights are needed, it costs an extra $25 per hour.

You can reserve space for sports camps and clinics Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Field Use Application

Important Requirements:

• You’ll need to provide a current Certificate of General Liability insurance. The insurance must list "Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Park Authority and its officers, employees, and volunteers" as "additional insured" on the policy.

Fees:

• Grass fields: $50 per hour
• Synthetic fields: $100 per hour
• Lights (optional): $25 per hour

Permits are available for individuals who reserve at least 3 hours, as well as for businesses (coaches), groups, or tournament events.

Court Use Application

Important Requirements:

• Coaches need to provide a current Certificate of General Liability insurance. The insurance must list "Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Park Authority and its officers, employees, and volunteers" as "additional insured" on the policy.

Fees:

• For group or long-term use: $15 per court per hour
• For-profit use: $20 per court per hour

These fees apply to any park with courts.

If you're a commercial photographer working on Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) property or in FCPA facilities, you must get a photography permit and pay the required fees ahead of time. To learn more and apply for a permit, visit the Commercial Photography in the Parks.

If you are a licensed food vendor in Fairfax County, you can sell food and connect with local residents and visitors at certain Fairfax County parks. Make the park experience better by offering special food options, affordable menu choices, and great customer service. To learn how to become a vendor or find out which vendors are allowed to sell in Fairfax County Parks, visit the Park Authority Mobile Food Vending.

The Park Authority has many picnic areas, shelters, and amphitheaters that you can reserve. To learn more or schedule a spot, visit the Park Authority Picnics. If the park you want to use is not one of the locations that can be reserved, you can use the space on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you’re a professional videographer planning to film on Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) property or in FCPA facilities, you must get a commercial use permit and pay the required fees in advance.

Fees:

• $350 per day for regular commercial use.
• $100 per day for nonprofit commercial use.
• An additional fee of $50 per hour is charged for any FCPA staff needed during the shoot.

To learn more and apply for a permit, visit the Commercial Use - Filming in Fairfax County Parks webpage.

The process to become a vendor at Fairfax County Farmers Markets is competitive and depends on the specific needs of each market. Not all vendors who apply will be guaranteed a spot. Vendors cannot join mid-season or show up without approval. To learn more about becoming a vendor, visit the Farmers Markets Vending Information webpage.

Park Use Application

If you are accessing park property for work-related activities such as surveying, environmental investigations, construction projects, or other tasks with a specific start and end date, you will need to obtain a permit. A permit provides temporary, short-term authorization with conditions related to entering and using park property.
              
For projects requiring County plan review or permanent installations on park property, such as utility installations, access roads, or communication lines, you will need to request an easement which are legal, recorded agreements that provide temporary or permanent access or use of FCPA property for specific purposes. Easements are required for activities that involve construction, recurring use, or permanent modifications to the property.

Issuing a permit and/or easement establishes legal authorization for individuals or groups to access park property, which reduces liability risks for both park management and permit holders.

Please see the Easement and Permit page for additional information and requirements.