Commerce City, CO Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Event expected to draw more than 50 people
- Permit period
- Up to 14 days, one 14-day extension
- Default hours
- Ends 10:00 p.m. unless permit states otherwise
- Notification radius
- 660 feet for qualifying large events
- Deposit cap
- Up to $2,000 cashier's check
- Governing section
- LDC Sec. 21-5360 (organized events)
Summary
In Commerce City, a carnival, fair, flea market or similar organized event expected to draw more than 50 people needs a temporary use permit under LDC Sec. 21-5360. The director sets conditions, caps operating hours at 10:00 p.m. unless the permit says otherwise, and limits the permit to 14 days with one 14-day extension.
Sec. 21-5360. - Organized Events. (1)Definition. The term "organized event" means any organized activity, specifically including, but not limited to, a circus, carnival, fair, flea market, special celebration, or other temporary activity not identified above which reasonably may be expected to attract more than 50 persons at any one time, or which otherwise may reasonably be expected to increase the risk of: ... (5)Hours of Operation. The hours of operation of any organized event should be specified in the permit. In the event the hours of operation are not specified, the ending time for such event shall be 10:00 p.m.(6)Permit Period. A temporary use permit for an event may be approved for a period of up to 14 days at the discretion of the director. This period may be extended for 1 additional 14-day period for good cause shown, upon approval of a written request submitted to the director 7 days prior to the expiration of the permit.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 21-5360 of the Land Development Code defines an organized event as any circus, carnival, fair, flea market, special celebration or similar temporary activity reasonably expected to draw more than 50 people, or to raise the risk of property damage, injury, disturbances, traffic congestion or added demand on police, fire, trash or other city services. City-sponsored activities, park-shelter rentals and events at facilities built for that use, such as golf courses, ball fields, wedding and funeral venues, and churches, are excluded, as are events confined to a private residence or the common area of a multifamily property.
Before the director issues the temporary use permit, Sec. 21-5310 requires the applicant to show that on-site parking will be adequate and that any required fire lanes have fire-district approval. The director may add any standard needed to protect public health, safety or welfare, and a single permit can cover a multi-site or multi-day event as long as every site, activity and date is listed. Unless the permit states otherwise, an organized event must end by 10:00 p.m. The permit runs up to 14 days at the director's discretion, and one 14-day extension is available on written request filed at least 7 days before expiration, if the city finds no substantial adverse impact on surrounding property or services.
An organizer must notify every property owner within 660 feet if the event meets three or more of these: running more than one day, any activity before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m., attendance over 200, alcohol service, or live or amplified sound. Under the shared Division 3 deposit rule, the city can require a cashier's check of up to $2,000 to cover sign removal, code enforcement and clean-up, refunding any unused portion.
Violations & Fines
Holding an organized event without the required temporary use permit, or beyond the approved dates, sites or 10:00 p.m. cutoff, is a code violation enforced by Commerce City Community Development and referred to Municipal Court under Chapter 3. The city can withhold or revoke approval for failing to meet the parking, fire-lane, notification or standards requirements, and can draw on the up-to-$2,000 deposit to cover clean-up or code-enforcement costs before returning any balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every street fair in Commerce City need a permit?
How long can an organizer keep vendors on-site?
What time do street fairs have to end?
Do neighbors have to be notified about a street fair?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Commerce City
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