Bristol, PA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Closing the street. Under § 15-106, Borough Council has authority to close any street or specific part of a street to vehicular traffic and to place barriers or station police officers at each end of the closed portion while a special event is being conducted on it. It is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle upon the closed portion.

Permits for the crowd. Section 15-107 separately regulates assemblages and processions. An assemblage is a gathering of people without vehicles that interferes with the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on any street. A procession is a group of individuals, vehicles, animals and/or objects moving along a street in a way that interferes with the normal movement of traffic. The organizer must first obtain a permit from the Borough Manager, issued without fee. Applications are due at least one week ahead for an assemblage and at least two weeks ahead for a procession, and at least three weeks ahead for either when a state-designated highway is proposed to be used. The permit states the place and date, the hour the event can convene and the hour by which it must have dispersed, and a procession permit also specifies the route.

Mayor's power. Under § 15-104 the Mayor can restrict or prohibit traffic and/or parking in limited areas for periods of not more than 72 hours in the conduct of parades, processions or public events.

Signs, noise and vendors. Under § 27-602 a temporary sign announcing a public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar event is allowed for a total period not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year and must be removed within seven days after the event. Special events signs over six square feet need a sign permit. The noise ordinance, § 10-503, exempts parades with band music on holidays or by civic organizations, churches or schools, and fireworks exhibits held under permit by the Borough of Bristol. The vendor registration rule in § 13-302 covers peddling on residential property by knocking on doors or ringing doorbells, and requires registration at the Borough building and an identification card from the Chief of Police.