Berkeley, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

020(H) defines 'street event' to include any march, demonstration, assembly, parade, festival, street fair, or concert taking place in the public street or right-of-way that is likely to impede normal traffic flow. 040 requires an application to the City Manager at least 10 business days before the event, extended to 30 business days for high-impact events, events using pyrotechnics, Certified Farmers' Markets, or use of the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza. The application must detail the organizer's identity, route or location, dates and times, estimated attendance, sound equipment and vehicles involved, sanitation facilities, and security and medical arrangements.

060, the City Manager must issue the permit unless the application is incomplete, contains false information, duplicates a prior reservation, would unduly interfere with a freeway, highway, transit stop, or major arterial, would interfere with fire or police protection, or the applicant substantially failed to comply with prior permits. m. 110 requires $1,000,000 in liability insurance for major-street closures, crowds over 1,000, or use of the BART Plaza, unless the applicant shows insurance would preclude a First Amendment-protected event.