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Bossier Parish, LA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Trigger threshold
Gatherings of 100+ people
Application deadline
At least 45 days before event
Permit fee
$500.00 nonrefundable
Security staffing
1 officer per 50 (25 if alcohol)
Allowed event hours
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Summary

Any carnival, festival, trade show, or outdoor music event drawing 100 or more people in unincorporated Bossier Parish needs a Police Jury permit before it can proceed. Organizers file at least 45 days ahead, pay a $500.00 nonrefundable fee, and fund a security plan the Sheriff's Office prices and approves.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Bossier Parish. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)For the purposes of this section, the term "public interest and special events" includes outdoor music events, carnivals, circuses, trail rides and similar activities, held in all areas of Bossier Parish, except that area covered by the Unified Development Code of the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission, which has its own regulations, that are intended to appeal to the public at-large rather than any specific, targeted group. This article shall only apply to gatherings of 100 people or more. ... No public interest nor special event of any kind or for whatever purpose shall proceed without first applying to the police jury for a permit, as required by this article. ... There shall be paid, at the time of filing the application for a permit, a nonrefundable fee of $500.00. This fee may be waived in whole or in part by the police jury.

Full Breakdown

Article III of Chapter 10 covers 'public interest and special events,' defined to include outdoor music events, carnivals, circuses, trail rides, and similar activities intended to appeal to the public at large. The article applies only to gatherings of 100 people or more, and only outside the area covered by the Unified Development Code of the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission, which has its own separate regulations. ), expected attendance, and clean-up, health, sanitation, and security plans. 00 fee, which the Police Jury may waive in whole or in part, plus an advance deposit sized to the Bossier Sheriff's Office's security-plan costs.

The Sheriff's Office is the only agency authorized to provide event security and must staff at a ratio of one officer per 50 attendees when no alcohol is present, rising to one officer per 25 attendees when alcohol is served. Parish fire districts, emergency medical services, and the parish health unit each review the application and recommend approval or denial to the Police Jury, which can override a negative recommendation only by a vote of more than a simple majority of its members. All event parking must stay on the applicant's site; attendees who park in the public right-of-way can get the event shut down and face towing.

Violations & Fines

Violating any part of Article III is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500.00 or 30 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Sheriff's Office can shut an event down mid-event for violating permit conditions or approved safety plans, and the Police Jury can deny or revoke a permit for false application information or noncompliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a small church festival need a Bossier Parish special event permit?
No. Article III applies only to commercial public interest and special events of 100 or more people intended to appeal to the public at large; the article specifically says it is not intended to apply to non-commercial, family, church, political, or other non-commercial assemblies.
How far ahead must a festival organizer apply?
The written application must reach the Police Jury at least 45 days before the event date, along with the $500.00 nonrefundable fee and the required clean-up, health, sanitation, and security plans. The Bossier Sheriff's Office then sets an advance deposit based on the proposed security budget and attendance.
Who provides security at a permitted Bossier Parish festival?
The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office is the only agency authorized to provide event security, staffed at one officer per 50 attendees, or one officer per 25 attendees if alcohol will be present. The sheriff may allow a qualified, LSBPSE-licensed private security company to supplement deputies at the sheriff's discretion.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bossier Parish

All Bossier Parish rules

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