Brookhaven, GA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Vendor authority
- Written authorization from the event producer
- Separate vendor permit
- Not required for authorized vendors
- Unauthorized vendor buffer
- 100 yards, from one hour before to one hour after the event
- Event length cap
- Six days in any 30-day consecutive period
- Application deadline
- At least 60 days before the event
- Insurance minimum
- $300,000.00 per person, $1,000,000.00 maximum, $100,000.00 property
- Appeal window
- Five days to the city manager
Summary
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, vendors at a street fair or festival work under the event producer's authority: the producer authorizes each vendor in writing, controls vendor locations, and holds the special event permit, so authorized vendors need no separate vendor permit. Food vendors still follow health and life safety rules.
(a)The sale of food and/or merchandise by vendors shall be allowed as a component of a special event provided each vendor is authorized to participate in writing by the producer of the event and provided further each vendor shall be subject to all conditions and limitations as shall be imposed in writing by the producer and submitted as part of the application for a permit.(b)The producer of a special event shall have sole responsibility and control of all food and merchandise vendors as a component of a special event and to designate the location and activities of such vendors.(c)Authorized vendors of the producer, providing food and/or merchandise, shall not be required to obtain a separate vendor permit to operate during the special event.(d)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, food vendors authorized by the producer shall be required to comply with rules and regulations of the city, county, state and federal health department and life safety standards as to the preparation and service of food.
Full Breakdown
Section 15-587 puts the special event producer in charge. Food and merchandise sales are allowed as a component of a special event when each vendor is authorized in writing by the producer and is subject to the written conditions the producer submits with the permit application. The producer has sole responsibility and control of all vendors and designates their locations and activities. Authorized vendors do not need a separate vendor permit, but food vendors must comply with city, county, state, and federal health department and life safety standards for preparing and serving food.
Section 15-581 defines a special event to include fairs, festivals, concerts, parades, races, and block parties, and excludes garage sales, lawn sales, rummage sales, and flea market sales. A vendor is a person selling food, goods, services, or merchandise on a temporary itinerant basis as an authorized participant. Alcohol vendors need a state and city license and must follow the Code's rules on off-premises sale at an authorized function (section 15-588). Each vendor wears a badge from the producer bearing the producer's signature, and a vendor not authorized by the producer is barred from doing business within 100 yards of the event from one hour before the start until one hour after the event (section 15-589).
The permit itself is required for any special event (section 15-582). An event cannot exceed six days in any 30-day consecutive period, and applications are due at least 60 days ahead and no earlier than one year ahead (section 15-583). Where a street closure is involved, the producer proves that affected residents and businesses were notified 30 days before the event. At the city's discretion the producer carries liability insurance with a minimum of $300,000.00 personal injury per person, $1,000,000.00 maximum, and $100,000.00 property damage (section 15-586). The producer makes sure vendors remove structures, trash, and debris by the time the permit says streets reopen.
Violations & Fines
A producer who does not receive a special event permit, or who violates its material terms, is cited by the police chief, a code enforcement officer, or another authorized city employee. On conviction in Municipal Court the section 1-11 penalties apply: a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense (section 15-585). An unauthorized vendor selling inside the 100-yard zone breaks section 15-589(b), and the permit itself can be denied, suspended, or revoked under section 15-591.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do street fair vendors in Brookhaven need their own permit?
Who decides where vendors set up at a Brookhaven festival?
Can outside vendors sell near a Brookhaven street fair?
Can alcohol be sold at a Brookhaven street fair?
How long can a Brookhaven street fair run?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
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