Converse, TX Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issued by
- City Secretary
- Base fee
- $20 for first 3 days
- Extension fee
- $15 per extra 3 days
- Cleanup deposit
- $200, refundable
- Max fine
- $200 per day violated
Summary
Converse requires a carnival permit approved by the city secretary before any street fair, festival, or carnival opens, backed by fees, police staffing, and a $200 cleanup deposit.
No carnivals, concessions, circuses, or similar temporary activity, defined as "carnival" in section 4-19, shall be held in the city unless a permit has been approved by the city secretary.
(Ord. No. 720, § I, 12-6-1982)
Sec. 4-43. - Requirements for issuance. The requirements for issuance of a permit will be as follows:
(1)All requirements of the zoning regulations must be met, especially such that:a.The area of the proposed carnival must be zoned compatibly with the carnival;b.There must be adequate parking so that no street is rendered unable to be trafficked; andc.Hours of operation will be set by the city secretary at the time of issuance of permit.(2)The city shall assess a permit fee upon issuance of the permit, at a rate of $20.00 for the first three days, and $15.00 for each additional three-day period or fraction thereof, weekends and holidays included.
Full Breakdown
City Code chapter 4, article II covers any "carnival", defined broadly to include fairs, festivals, circuses, and rodeos, and bars operation without a permit from the city secretary. Issuance depends on zoning compatibility, adequate parking, secretary-set hours, paid police staffing, sanitation provisions, and a $200 cleanup deposit refunded after satisfactory teardown. Local civic organizations skip the permit fee but still need the permit itself.
Violations & Fines
Operating without an approved permit, or violating permit conditions, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $200, with each day of illegal operation a separate offense; the city secretary can also revoke the permit outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do local civic groups still need a permit for a Converse festival?
Can Converse shut down a street fair mid-event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Converse
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Converse to another location·View the Texas special events & permits overview
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Street Fair Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bexar County handle street fair rules.