Chelan County, WA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Chapter 9.26, Events and Activities in County Right-of-Way
- Who issues it
- Chelan County Sheriff's Office
- Application deadline
- At least 30 days before the event
- Trigger threshold
- 25 or more participants requires a permit
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and 90 days jail
- Civil penalty
- Up to $5,000 per day of violation
Summary
A street fair, race, parade or similar organized activity that uses a Chelan County road needs a right-of-way activity permit from the Sheriff's Office before it can go forward. Chapter 9.26 makes any qualifying activity unlawful without a permit, requires applications at least thirty days ahead, and punishes a violation as a misdemeanor with up to a one-thousand-dollar fine and ninety days in jail.
§ 9.26.030. Right-of-way activity permits required. Except as authorized by a county-issued right-of-way activity permit, the following activities or events on a public right-of-way in Chelan County are unlawful: ... (4) Activities or events involving twenty-five or more participants; ... § 9.26.060. Violations and penalties. ... (3) Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for a period not to exceed ninety days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense. (4) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter is, in addition to any criminal penalties, subject to a maximum civil penalty of five thousand dollars for each day or portion of the day that the violation continues. ... § 9.26.110. Application for permit. ( ... 2) Time. ... An application under this chapter shall be submitted on an approved county form at least thirty days prior to the intended date of the activity.
Full Breakdown
020. 030 makes it unlawful to hold such an activity without a county-issued permit if it is likely to obstruct or interfere with public use of the right-of-way, involves participants likely to violate traffic controls, creates a substantial risk to health or safety, draws twenty-five or more participants, or conflicts with a road project. 040 exempts funeral processions, government agencies acting within their authority, lawful sidewalk picketing, and certain spontaneous, non-obstructing events on short notice. 070's general conditions require the permittee to provide adequate parking and restrooms, clean up debris afterward, carry liability insurance naming Chelan County as an additional insured, and ensure any vendor selling beverages in single-use containers offers a recycling program. 160. 020.
Violations & Fines
Organizing or participating in a right-of-way activity without a permit, or violating a permit condition, is a misdemeanor under Section 9.26.060, punishable by up to one thousand dollars in fines and ninety days in jail, with each day of the violation charged separately. A person who knowingly blocks or interferes with a permitted activity commits a separate offense, and the county may also pursue a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a street fair in unincorporated Chelan County?
How far in advance must I apply for an event permit?
What happens if I run a street fair without a permit?
What does a permitted street fair organizer have to do?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington special events & permits overview
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