When to apply

Late applications will be considered subject to availability.

Event planning guide

Please read our event planning guide before completing your application for more information about the requirements to host an event on municipal property.

How to apply 

Please fill out the online application form. Provide as much detail and notice as possible.
 

Booking a picnic shelters

Picnics may be booked at several North Vancouver picnic shelters. Bookings must be made in advance of your picnic. Picnic shelters can be booked in three-hour blocks: 9am-12 noon, 1-4pm or 5-8pm. Insurance is required. We do not issue permits where alcohol will be served or consumed. Check shelter locations and availability.

Book a shelter for personal/family use

Request a picnic shelter rental for a for personal/family gatherings (approval required) using our online booking portal.

Book a shelter on behalf of a company/organization

To make a booking request on behalf of a company or organization, complete our online application form. 

Booking a park for a picnic

Picnics may also be booked at many other North Vancouver parks.  All organized groups such as associations, school groups, clubs, societies and church groups are required to obtain a park use permit.  Casual users may be required to obtain a park use permit if they wish to access park amenities not accessible to the public.

Small wedding ceremony permit requests will be considered, dependent on location and numbers (maximum 10 people). 

Weddings must be an hour and a half in duration including setup and take down.

Ceremonies cannot include:

• Decorations, rice, confetti, balloons
• Amplified sound
• Props, tents or chairs (a small number of chairs are permitted for guests with mobility issues)

Please fill out the online application form to request to hold a wedding ceremony in a City or District park.

The City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver offer local businesses and non-profit organizations the opportunity to book space in parks to operate programs. This is a pilot program and applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for dates up to and including December 31, 2024.  Applications must be submitted a minimum of three weeks in advance of the first date requested.

Permit applications include a maximum of three bookings per week for a single applicant. Each booking is made up of a maximum two-hour block. This two-hour block includes all set-up and take-down and cannot be booked back-to-back. Parks, time-blocks and date options in the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver are listed below.

For more details on how to apply, please read the application process document.

To apply, download and complete the temporary park use permit application.

City of North Vancouver parks

District of North Vancouver parks

Together, let's keep our parks clean and safe by following these guidelines:

• Park Use Permits must be obtained for any organized groups in order to hold their picnic, gathering, celebration or event in a park.
• Park bookings do not provide exclusive use of a park. Free public assess must be maintained. 
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited in public parks in North Vancouver unless a municipal permit has been issued and is displayed on site.
• BBQ use may be restricted dependent on the season and current environmental conditions.  Gas and propane barbecues are allowed in off-field areas except in high to extreme fire conditions.  Whenever possible, cook on concrete pads or gravel and away from dry grass and fire-prone areas.  Do not cook over grass or wood structures. 
• Bouncy castles or inflatable devices are prohibited in parks without special permission and requirements.
• Dogs are not allowed on sports fields, playgrounds or picnic areas at any time.  Visit dog-friendly parks in the DNV and CNV.  Some locations offer off-leash areas.
• Food vending and food services (including food trucks) are not permitted without special permission and requirements.
• Garbage and recycling must be placed in appropriate containers or taken home.  Store any garbage you cannot dispose of immediately in a sealed container. Be bear aware! Don’t leave garbage outside of park garbage bins. 
• Grey water, from preparing food or washing up, is to be carefully disposed of and not poured into storm grates. The majority of our storm grates empty into local streams and grey water would result in the pollution of them. The dumping of ice, excess juice, water or food on the grass is forbidden, and may attract wildlife.
• Noise from public address (PA) systems or loudspeakers is not permitted in parks without receiving special permission and a relaxation of the noise bylaws enacted by Mayor and Council. 
• Parking on grass areas, within parks, is strictly prohibited.
• Parks are smoke free (DNV Bylaw #7792; CNV Bylaw #7026).
• North Vancouver trails are valued by residents and visitors alike and it is important to preserve them. The use of trails for an event or organized group must be approved by Parks Department staff. Please see community and trail events above for the application process.
• Water is a precious resource so do your best to conserve it. Make sure taps are turned off after using outdoor park showers or water fill-up stations.

The City of North Vancouver does bookings for several of its facilities including Shipyard Commons, Shipbuilder's Square, The Pipe Shop, Cates Deck, Civic Plaza and Rogers Plaza.

Visit the City of North Vancouver's website's Public Spaces & Venues page for booking information.

City of North Vancouver events equipment request

The City of North Vancouver has events equipment available for loan and they will drop it off on-site at your event. Please note this is a service available only to public events taking place in the City of North Vancouver. A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required to process equipment requests. The equipment available for loan is listed in our events equipment request form.

Alcohol consumption is allowed in designated City & District parks during specific hours. This is for personal consumption only. We do not issue permits for using these spaces. Learn more:

• City of North Vancouver - Alcohol in public spaces
• District of North Vancouver - Alcohol in parks program