Do You Need a Permit? Savannah Squares, Forsyth Park, Tybee Beach and Wormsloe

"Do we need a permit?" is one of the first questions I get once a couple or family picks a spot. The honest answer is that it depends on where you are, how many people are coming and what you're bringing with you.

I've read through what each office says and put it in one place. Every rule below links to the official page it came from, because those pages are the final word, not me and not any blog post. I checked all of them on November 12, 2026. Rules and fees change, so please confirm with the office before you lock in a date.

The short version

• Savannah squares and Forsyth Park: a small wedding of fewer than fifty people with no setup can go ahead without a permit, first come, first served. Chairs, aisle runners, tents, tables or décor need a City permit and an off-duty Savannah police officer.
• Tybee Island beach: anything beyond what usual beachgoers do, like a ceremony with an arch or chairs, needs a Beach Event Permit. The beach stays public either way.
• Wormsloe State Historic Site: everyone pays admission. Weddings book through the site's wedding packages, and the package sheet lists a $25 permit for each photographer or videographer.

Savannah's squares and Forsyth Park

The City of Savannah's wedding questions page covers the squares, and the same permit process covers the north end of Forsyth Park around the fountain.

When you don't need a permit

The City says a small wedding with fewer than fifty people and no setup may go ahead without a permit. Squares are first come, first served, so someone else may already be there. Check the City's special event calendar first so you don't arrive in the middle of a permitted event.

When you do

Any wedding with chairs, aisle runners, tents, tables or other décor needs permission through the City's permit process. When you get a permit, you also hire an off-duty Savannah police officer for the length of your event. The permit is what guarantees you the space and keeps the public from walking through your ceremony.

• Apply early: you can apply as early as one year out, counted from the first of the month your date falls in.
• Apply in time: the City's special events page says applications are due no later than 90 days before the event.
• Clean up: you're responsible for leaving the area as you found it, and for any damage.

How many guests each spot holds

The City's parks and squares capacity list shows most historic squares at 50 guests. Forsyth Park North is listed at 250, the Fragrant Garden in Forsyth Park at 25, Johnson Square at 250 to 350 depending on the side, and Ellis Square at 750.

What it costs

The City's 2026 fee ordinance (Article W, amended January 22, 2026) lists a $30 non-refundable application fee and a $150 permit fee. A four-hour park or square rental is listed at $350 for City residents, $575 for non-residents in off-peak months and $725 for non-residents in peak months, plus $60 for each extra hour, up to $1,000 a day. Peak months are March, April, May, September, October and November. The off-duty officer is a separate cost.

What about portrait and engagement sessions?

Photo sessions fall under the City's film and photography office rather than the wedding rules. Film Savannah's guidelines say a permit may not be needed for a small crew or low-impact activity, and that the City's film staff decide. Activity that affects public space, through sound, light or traffic, may need one. If you're planning furniture, signs, lighting or a large group, ask the City before the day.

One date to keep in mind: Film Savannah says the City won't issue permits from March 10 to March 24, 2027, around St. Patrick's Day.

Tybee Island beach

The City of Tybee Island explains its rules on its special events planning page.

• When you need a permit: a Beach Event Permit is needed for any activity beyond what usual beachgoers do.
• The beach stays public: the City can't reserve, block off or make any part of the beach private. It also won't approve two permits in the same area at the same time.
• Hours: beach reservations run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. only.
• How to book: create an account on the City's online reservation site and reserve an area under the Beach tab. The City reviews it, then charges a non-refundable application fee and emails your final permit.
• You bring everything: you set up and remove all equipment and decorations. The City doesn't rent anything.
• Busy season: Tybee says its season can run from Presidents' Day weekend to Thanksgiving, and applications shouldn't conflict with island events or major holiday weekends.

Tybee's beach rules for photos and ceremonies

• Stay out of the dunes. They're protected and off limits to foot traffic.
• Keep off the rock jetties when you choose a photo spot.
• Only real, non-dyed flower petals are allowed. No birdseed or rice.
• No fires or open flames, no glass, no dogs, no motor vehicles and no balloon or lantern releases.
• Parking is enforced from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. all year, so large groups should think about a shuttle.

Photos for business use on Tybee

Tybee asks anyone doing still photography for commercial use within city limits to apply for permission through its film permit process. If that work happens on the beach, the City says you need both a beach permit and a film permit. If you're not sure whether your shoot counts as commercial, ask the City before the day.

Questions about beach events go to Robyn Rosner at the City of Tybee Island, rrosner@cityoftybee.gov.

Wormsloe State Historic Site

Wormsloe is run by Georgia State Parks. Its official page lists hours of 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. every day, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors 62 and up, $5.75 for ages 6 to 17 and $3.25 for children under 6, plus tax. Leashed pets are allowed on the trails but not in buildings.

Weddings at Wormsloe

The site's wedding package sheet offers four packages for up to 10, 30, 60 or 100 guests, with lower prices Monday to Thursday. It also lists a $25 photographer or videographer permit for each person.

• Weddings with more than 10 people take place at the end of the oak-lined avenue.
• With the smallest package, 10 people or fewer, you can choose the side of the avenue, Sutler's Row or the Marsh Overlook.
• Most weddings happen during opening hours, so the site is still open to visitors. After-hours ceremonies are available for more privacy.

Wedding bookings go to wormsloe.weddings@dnr.ga.gov or 912-353-3023.

Portrait sessions and bigger shoots

For proposals and portrait sessions, I pay my $25 photographer fee when I arrive and each guest pays admission at the gate. Larger commercial shoots go through Georgia State Parks' film and photography application, which asks for at least 10 business days' notice and charges a $200 processing fee plus a location fee once approved.

Where I can help

Permits are the boring part, but getting them right early means the day itself can be easy. When we talk about your plans, I'll tell you which of these rules applies to you and point you to the right office. I'll also help you plan around light and crowds, which matter just as much as the paperwork.

Planning at Forsyth Park? Read my Forsyth Park photo spots guide and my honest guide to getting married there.

Official sources

• City of Savannah: Weddings
• City of Savannah: Special Events
• City of Savannah: parks and squares capacity list
• City of Savannah: 2026 Revenue Ordinance (special event fees, Article W)
• Film Savannah: City of Savannah permits and guidelines
• City of Tybee Island: Special Events Planning
• Georgia State Parks: Wormsloe State Historic Site
• Wormsloe wedding package sheet
• Georgia State Parks: film and photography