Albuquerque, NM Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit exemption
- No Category A/B permit needed
- Approval required
- Mayor must authorize the event
- Frequency cap
- Semiannual per event
- Duration cap
- 4 consecutive days max
- Possible conditions
- Cleanup deposit, liability insurance
Summary
Vendors selling at Albuquerque street fairs and festivals skip the standard peddler permit but need Mayor authorization instead, and the qualifying event itself is capped at twice a year and four consecutive days.
Solicitations at traditional art shows and fiestas and at special events of citywide interest which are sponsored by civic organizations; provided such solicitations have been authorized by the Mayor. Each such event shall be no more frequent than semiannual and shall last for no more than four consecutive days. The Mayor shall develop an application form and procedures for allowing solicitations at such special events, and may require a deposit for clean up, liability insurance, or other city services.
(B) Sale of vegetables, fruits, meats or other produce raised and sold in unprocessed form by the grower or producer thereof.
(C) Solicitations at private residences in the city by real estate agents, insurance agents or insurance solicitors who have obtained a license from the State Superintendent of Insurance or the New Mexico Real Estate Commission and who carry such license on their person and who exhibit such license to any owner or occupant of any residence upon demand.
(D) Solicitations on any privately owned commercial property in the city.
(E) Solicitations on any property belonging to governmental or political subdivisions of the State of New Mexico and of the United States, except the city.
(F) Solicitations by any natural person of the age of 17 years or under.
(G) Solicitations for public transportation for hire by either horse-drawn or human powered vehicles provided the person performing such services has
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-95: Current through Ordinance 2026-010, passed 4-6-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code exempts vendors at traditional art shows, fiestas, and civic-sponsored special events of citywide interest from the standard Category A/B solicitation permit, but only if the event organizer secures Mayor authorization first. The Mayor sets the application form and can require a cleanup deposit, liability insurance, or other city services as a condition. Events qualifying for this exemption are capped at semiannual frequency and four consecutive days; vending outside an authorized special event still requires the regular business solicitation permit under Chapter 13, Article 3.
Violations & Fines
Vending at a street fair without Mayor authorization is business solicitation without a permit, a misdemeanor under § 13-3-1-99, with each day a separate offense subject to City Code § 1-1-99 penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do street fair vendors need a peddler permit in Albuquerque?
How often can the same street fair run under this exemption?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albuquerque
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