Arlington County, VA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

1 of the Arlington County Code defines a SPECIAL EVENT as an event in the community such as a carnival, celebration, entertainment exhibition, fair, festival, grand opening, historical reenactment, pageant, parade, pub crawl, or other similar event in or on public spaces. 1, the owner, lessee, or management agent responsible for a gathering must notify the Fire Prevention Office and request a pre-gathering inspection of the premises and public safety plans. 2 then requires a permit for any indoor or outdoor gathering that, in the professional judgment of the fire code official, needs inspection to address fire and life safety concerns.

4 makes the owner, operator, or other person in control of a special event responsible for establishing and maintaining a fire and rescue access lane at least 20 feet wide, capable of supporting fire apparatus in all weather, and reaching within 50 feet of every booth, tent, ride, or other equipment or structure used at the event. 2's fee schedule (Note C) sets tiered special-event inspection fees of $150 for up to 50 attendees, $200 for 51 to 500, and $300 for over 500, though that inspection fee is waived for LP-gas use once a valid special-events permit is obtained, and the whole fee can be waived if the County's overall special-event fee already covers all agencies.