DuPage County, IL Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)

Section 37-408 of the DuPage County Zoning Ordinance classifies special events, including festivals and carnivals, as temporary uses allowed in any zoning district as long as the County Development Committee authorizes them. 1 sets the operating rules: every zoning lot is limited to no more than two special events per calendar year, and every temporary structure must still meet the yard setbacks of its district. Residence-district events run for one day at a time with at least 120 days between events (garage sales get a Friday-through-Sunday exception), while nonresidential-district events, the category that covers most street fairs and carnivals, can run up to ten days with at least 60 days between events and must provide on-site attendee parking under Article XII.

, unless the County Development Committee grants a time extension. 2 lays out the application: organizers file with the Department of Economic Development and Planning, Zoning Division, at least five days before the Committee's review, and must submit a site plan showing signage, a parking and circulation plan, a DuPage County Health Department sanitation report, liability insurance naming the county as coinsured, owner authorization if the applicant does not own the lot, and a cash bond or letter of credit equal to 100% of the estimated cost of removing tents, junk and debris after the event.