The Park Demonstration Permit Application is the form the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks uses to review demonstrations held in city parks; the form states that a permit is required for a demonstration by more than 30 people. It is one of the Baltimore City event permit forms, and it covers demonstrations, leafleting, parades or walks and petition solicitation. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the city publishes the original at baltimorecity.gov, and the application is returned to the Department's Permit Office.
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What is Park Demonstration Permit Application – Baltimore, MD?
The Park Demonstration Permit Application is the City of Baltimore, Department of Recreation and Parks form used to request a permit for a demonstration of more than 30 people in a city park. The form states that a permit is required for such a demonstration.
The application collects the organization and the coordinator responsible for the event, the name and type of event, its purpose, the requested dates and times, the park and location, and the expected number of participants and spectators. It then asks about signs and banners, street closures, temporary structures, sound equipment, entertainment, animals, generators, items to be distributed, gas grills or propane stoves, refuse removal, parking, emergency medical services and any special provisions.
The event types listed on the form are demonstration, leafleting, parade or walk (marching on any park roadway, or more than 30 people) and solicitation (petition), each for more than 30 people, plus an "Other" line. Submitting the application is not a confirmation: the Department confirms the event by issuing a permit to the organization or person responsible for conducting it.
The City's Special Events and Right of Way permitting page, run by the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), points people holding a demonstration with more than 30 people in a park to this application. Other park events, such as private events with fewer than 250 guests and no amplified sound, or other special events, follow different permit routes described on that page.
Who needs to file Park Demonstration Permit Application – Baltimore, MD?
Anyone planning a demonstration with more than 30 people in a Baltimore City park uses this application. The form lists the activities it covers, each for more than 30 people: demonstration, leafleting, parade or walk, and solicitation (petition). A parade or walk is also covered when it involves marching on any park roadway.
The form is completed by the organization applying, if there is one, and names a coordinator, the person responsible for conducting the demonstration. That person is also the one who must be reachable on site by cell phone during the event.
Permits are issued only to persons with a photo ID and are non-transferable.
Other park events do not use this form. According to the City's permitting page, a private park event with fewer than 250 guests and no amplified sound is handled through the Department of Recreation and Parks as a park event permit, and any other park event goes through the Special Events team at the Department of Transportation. The same page states that all events in the Inner Harbor require a Special Event Permit.
When to file Park Demonstration Permit Application – Baltimore, MD
The application must be submitted at least 2 business days before the event date. Park Rule 55.A, quoted on the form, allows the Director to waive the 2-day advance notice for imminent events or concerns when the size and nature of the activity will not reasonably require more municipal resources or personnel than are normally available or can reasonably be made available in time.
Some requests cannot fit that window. The form says road closures cannot be accommodated within the 2 business day application period, and City Electrical Services cannot be facilitated within the demonstration permit timeline. For a public road closure, the form tells applicants who apply 8 weeks before the event date to obtain a permit from the Special Event Office.
Each application may list no more than five event dates, consecutive or not, per application or location, and there are no rain dates. Do not send out event notices, publicity or flyers before you receive the permit.
Documents you need
- Application fee, paid by credit card, cashier check or money order payable to the Director of Finance; the form says no cash or personal checks.
- Event site plan or drawing showing the location of all items, required when you plan to erect temporary structures such as stages, booths, tables, tents or displays.
- Copy of the proposed route and/or map, including the assembly and disbanding area, required for a parade or walk.
- Additional information on the purpose of the event: either an explanation on the form or a copy of your agenda or planned activities.
- Publicity plan or flyer, attached if available, describing how you plan to publicize the event.
- Site plan for the location of signs, banners or flyers, attached if available.
- Signed agreement with the property owner, required if you plan to use off-site parking.
- Request for Reduction of Demonstration Permit Application Fee form, only if you ask for a waiver or reduction of the fee.
- Photo ID: permits are issued only to persons with a photo ID.
How to fill out Park Demonstration Permit Application – Baltimore, MD
Enter the organization details
Item 1: if an organization is applying, enter its name, telephone, fax, street address and email address. Leave it for the applicant details if no organization is involved.
Name the event coordinator
Item 2: enter the name, age, telephone, email and address of the person responsible for conducting the demonstration, plus the cell phone of the coordinator who will be on site during the event.
Name and classify the event
Item 3: write the name of the event. Item 4: check every type that applies (demonstration, leafleting, parade or walk, solicitation (petition) or other) and, for a parade or walk, attach the route map.
Explain the purpose of the event
Item 5: explain the purpose of the event, or attach a copy of your agenda or planned activities.
List dates and times
Item 6: fill in the starting and ending dates and times for set up, the actual event and take down. List no more than five event dates and do not request rain dates.
Give the park and attendance
Item 7: enter the park name and location. Item 8: enter the expected daily total and overall total of participants and spectators.
Describe publicity, signs and banners
Item 9: describe how you plan to publicize the event. Items 10 and 11: answer YES or NO on signs, banners or flyers and, if YES, describe their locations.
Answer street closure and structure questions
Item 12: answer YES or NO on partial street closures. Item 13: answer YES or NO on temporary structures and, if YES, describe stages, booths or tables, displays, tents and other equipment with sizes and numbers, and include a site plan.
Cover sound, entertainment, animals and power
Items 14 to 18: answer YES or NO on sound amplifying equipment, musical entertainment, other entertainment, animals and a generator, and give the descriptions the form requests for each YES.
Cover distribution, grills and refuse
Item 19: describe any items you will distribute, such as merchandise, food or drink. Item 20: answer YES or NO on gas grills or propane stoves. Item 21: describe how you will remove refuse and name the responsible person with phone.
Describe parking, medical services, special provisions
Item 22: describe parking or alternative transportation; off-site parking needs a signed agreement with the property owner. Item 23: describe emergency medical services. Item 24: add any special provisions not addressed elsewhere.
Check items, sign and download
Place an X next to the application fee, additional information and event site plan you include, then sign, date and print your name. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Park Demonstration Permit Application – Baltimore, MD
The form gives one place to return the application: the Department's Permit Office. It does not list a separate online, fax or email channel.
- Return address: Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, Permit Office, 3201 Boston Street, Baltimore Maryland 21224. Send the signed and dated application together with the items you checked on the form's list (application fee, additional information, event site plan).
- Phone: the Permit Office is listed at 410.396.7070 / 410.396.6003.
- Fee payment: a non-refundable application fee applies. Pay by credit card, cashier check or money order payable to the Director of Finance; the form says no cash or personal checks. Ask the Permit Office for the current amount.
- Fee waiver or reduction: submit the Request for Reduction of Demonstration Permit Application Fee form, available at the Permit Office and online at http://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/PublicInformation/Permits.aspx.
- Road closures: these go through the Special Event Office, (410)396-1916, Harry S. Cummings Blvd., 401 E. Fayette St., Lobby, Baltimore, MD 21202.
All fees, agency reimbursement costs (such as security, traffic control, electric or clean up) and additional documents must be paid or received before the permit is issued. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the application fewer than 2 business days before the event date without a waiver of the advance notice under Park Rule 55.A.
- Listing more than five event dates on one application or for one location, or requesting a rain date; the form allows neither.
- Sending out event notices, publicity or flyers before the Department confirms the event with a permit.
- Leaving out the route map with assembly and disbanding areas for a parade or walk.
- Answering YES to temporary structures without including a site plan or drawing showing the location of every item.
- Hanging or posting signs, banners or directional markers on any tree or lamp post, which violates the Department's rules and regulations.
- Planning amplified sound or drums past 9:00 P.M., or sound that interferes with other park activities or area businesses.
- Paying the fee with cash or a personal check; only credit card, cashier check or money order payable to the Director of Finance is accepted.
- Expecting a road closure or City electrical service within the 2-business-day period; the form says neither can be accommodated.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a demonstration in a Baltimore park?
Yes, if more than 30 people will take part. The Park Demonstration Permit Application states that a permit is required for a demonstration by more than 30 people. Leafleting, parades or walks and petition solicitation are also listed for more than 30 people.
How far in advance must I submit the park demonstration permit application?
At least 2 business days before the event date. Under Park Rule 55.A, quoted on the form, the Director may waive the 2-day notice for imminent events when the activity will not require more municipal resources or personnel than are normally available.
Where do I return the Park Demonstration Permit Application?
Return it with the items you checked to the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, Permit Office, 3201 Boston Street, Baltimore Maryland 21224. The form lists 410.396.7070 and 410.396.6003 for the office. It names no other submission channel.
Is there a fee, and how do I pay it?
Yes. A non-refundable application fee applies. Pay by credit card, cashier check or money order payable to the Director of Finance; cash and personal checks are not accepted. Ask the Permit Office for the current amount.
Can I get the demonstration permit fee waived or reduced?
You may request a waiver or reduction by submitting the Request for Reduction of Demonstration Permit Application Fee form. The application says it is available at the Permit Office and online at http://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/PublicInformation/Permits.aspx.
Does submitting the application mean my demonstration is approved?
No. Submitting is not a confirmation. If the date or location is unavailable or not an approved site, the Department contacts you with alternatives. Confirmation is a permit issued to the organization or person responsible, and you should not send publicity until then.
Can I close a street for my park demonstration?
Not through this application's 2-business-day timeline. The form says road closures cannot be accommodated in that period and that, for a public road closure, applicants must obtain a permit from the Special Event Office at (410)396-1916.
Until what time can I use amplified sound at a demonstration?
All amplified sound, including drums and other equipment, must stop by 9:00 P.M. during a demonstration. It also must not interfere with other park activities or disrupt businesses in the area.
Can I fill out the Park Demonstration Permit Application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application with the Department; you return it to the Permit Office yourself.
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