The Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) General Use and Special Events Permits Office handles all permit applications for rooms in its recreation centers and space at its park sites for non-athletic activities. The Office issues permits for facility and field space for birthday parties, baby showers, special events, or any other non-athletic occasion. The first step to reserving any DPR recreation center room or park site is to first visit the DPR Facility Guide and fill out a Permit Application Form. You may return the form by fax, mail, email, or dropping it off at our Columbia Heights Recreation Center office. The General Use and Special Events Permits Office will confirm receipt of your request within three to five business days. Processing may take at least one week.

Location

We’ve moved! The Permit Office has moved to the first floor of the DPR Central Office located at 1250 U Street, NW.

Office Hours

In order to better serve you and more efficiently process permit requests, the permit office shall have the following hours:

• Walk-Ins: Customers may drop off permit applications or submit payments any weekday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.
  
• Phone Lines: Customers may leave a message on the Athletics Permits line at any time, but the staff will only be available to answer calls live on weekdays between 10:00 am and 12:00pm; and 2:00pm and 4:00pm only.

Application Requirements

Please follow the requirements below to ensure your request is processed in a timely manner.

• Deadlines: Applications must be timely in order to be considered. DPR will only consider applications for events that occur at least two weeks after the date we receive the application.
  
• Completeness: In order to ensure the best service your application must be thorough. Please indicate with precision the type and amount of equipment you need (e.g., showmobile, tables, chairs, staffing), and we will help to the best of our ability. Our staff will only approve permits to the extent of the request.

Site Closures

Your preferred location may be offline temporarily or on a long-term basis due to inclement weather or construction. Additionally, permits and events exclude holidays except where explicitly stated.

The Process

Prospective permit holders must submit their Permit Application form at least two weeks prior to the planned event. If the applicant receives a notice of availability or invoice in response, the applicant is required to submit payment for the event at least one week prior to the event. If the applicant fails to meet either requirement, DPR will charge permit holders a fee equal to 15% of the total cost of the permit in order to cover incidental costs associated with late permits. 

DPR reserves the right to cancel any permit for which it has not received payment after the one-week deadline.

Special Events

It is the exclusive duty of the permit holder to – in advance of the event – secure all required licenses and permits necessary to comply with District of Columbia laws, ordinances, and regulations. In the following situations, DPR has a baseline set of requirements:

• Moon Bounces: Permit holders must provide DPR with a certificate reflecting at least $1 million of insurance coverage for each moon bounce used for the event, and reflecting that the District of Columbia and DPR are insured parties.
  
• Food: If you are planning an event in which you intend to serve food to the public, you must contact DCRA and acquire the appropriate health permit or license. Food vending is never permitted on DPR grounds.

DPR Permit Office
1250 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Phone: (202) 671-0297
Fax: (202) 671-2796
Email: DPRpermits@dc.gov